Getting Your Home Ready For Showings

Posted by Eric Miller on Friday, December 9th, 2011 at 5:27pm.

The condition of your home affects your final sales price and it’s one of the only pricing factors you have control over. Buyers tend to exaggerate even minor flaws and a clean home that needs a few repairs will get a better price than a dirty home that needs no repairs. If you want top dollar for your home, it’s always worth the extra effort to make it shine! For a quick sale at a high price, make the commitment to follow these steps in order to impress potential buyers.

General Cleaning: Spotlessly clean every room. Dust, remove clutter, steam clean carpets, and wax floors. Wash walls, windows, and light fixtures. Use polish on all trim and wood surfaces. Tighten loose stair railings and touch up any unfinished painting. Kitchen and Baths: These rooms need to shine! Clear off counters, and get rid of any clutter. Clean off appliances and fixtures. Scrub floors, light fixtures, and walls-repaint if necessary. Re-caulk tubs and showers. Clean thoroughly and be sure these rooms smell fresh.

Bedrooms: Clear off dressers, wash walls, and baseboards. Make sure all laundry is picked up and put away. Neutralize bedding and depersonalize pictures. Furniture: Rearrange or remove furniture to achieve maximum space. Pack away knickknacks from end tables and coffee tables. Wipe down so they are spot and dust free. Switch out large TV’s so that they are not the focal point of the room. Closets: Take unwanted items to a donation center. Organize shelves, and straighten shoes. Be sure that sliding doors operate smoothly in their tracks, and knobs on doors are secure. Utility Room: Wash lint, stains, and mineral deposits from washer, dryer, furnace, and hot water heater. Organize shelves, and take out any extra trash.

Brighten Interior: Replace dim bulbs with bright ones, replace wallpaper with off-white paint, repaint shabby or dark walls and replace dark or worn carpets with neutral colors. Open blinds and replace broken windows and old window seals. Maintain a comfortable temperature.

Yard: Remove any debris, repaint, and re-stain where necessary, park any stored car, camper, or motor home somewhere else. You may also need to repair any sprinkler or fence damage. Keep up with seasonal maintenance. Decks and Patios: Clean, straighten, repair and repaint and re-stain decks. Neatly arrange patio furniture and toss out old or rusty items. Add planters and flowers for extra color and warmth. Put away any kid’s toys after each use. Front Entry: Be sure the front door and screen are in good repair. Replace any damaged screens if necessary. Paint the front door a warm, rich, inviting color. Sweep away pine needles and cobwebs. Garage: Clean out any dirt and debris. Neatly stack storage or take to good will. Allow easy access to any doors or utilities located in the garage.

Pets: If possible, arrange for pets to stay at a neighbor’s house during showings. Clean and hide litter boxes. It is very important to get rid of any pet odors. These simple steps will help impress potential buyers and should help your home sell even in today’s touch economic climate. If you’re too lazy to clean and make repairs, you’ll have to get used to low ball offers, and no seller likes to deal with an unreasonable offer.

About The Author: Kimberley Kelly is a real estate agent specializing in helping sellers with short sales in Palm Springs. If you’re looking for more seller tips, you can check out Kim’s Palm Springs news blog.

Eric Miller is an award winning Florida Realtor, salesperson and broker. His website, FortLauderdaleGroup.com provides an up-to-date guide to Fort Lauderdale Condos for sale, and the most complete buyer, seller and investor information for the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Market.

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