Sellingyour home doesn′t just mean hiring a realtor to stick a sign out front. Thereare a lot of preparations you should make to ensure you get the best offerpossible in the shortest time.
Repair. Just because you’ve gotten used to thecracks in the walls and the rattles in the radiators doesn’t mean a buyer willtoo. If you have hardwood floors that need refinishing, be sure to get itdone—hardwood is a huge selling point. Buyers like to snoop around, so be sureto fix any sticky doors or drawers as well. Finally, don’t forget to addressany issues with the exterior—fences, shingles, sidewalks, etc. After all,without curb appeal, some buyers may never get to see the inside.
Neutralize. You want buyers to seethemselves in your home. If your living room has lime green shag, wood-paneledwalls, and all your collectibles and personal photographs, this will be muchharder for them to do. Try replacing any bold color choices in your floors andwalls with something more neutral—beiges, tans, and whites. Repainting andreflooring will make everything look fresh and new, and help prospective buyersimagine all the possibilities.
Stage. Once your house is clean and updated,it’s time to play dress up. Home stagers can add small details and décortouches that will bring out the possibilities in the various spaces in yourhome: lamps, mirrors, throw rugs and pillows, flowers, decorative soaps andtowels, patio furniture. Home staging can be particularly useful if your homeis especially old or if the exterior looks dated. Think of it as a littlemascara and rouge—if it’s done right, you notice the beauty, not the makeup.
