When preparing a house to sell, the aim is to make your home look like a photo shoot from an interior design catalog. Clean, uncluttered, and well staged.
In those magazine pictures, do you see a mangled toothpaste tube and the remains of what used to be a bar of soap on the counter in the bathroom?
What's on top of the bedroom dresser in the magazine photo? There might be a beautiful floral arrangement, certainly no clutter.
And you won't see an open jar of marmalade, a knife and breadcrumbs next to an old toaster on the kitchen counter. There is no need to get rid of the toaster, simply stash it away every day after breakfast - at least until after the house is sold. The same goes for mixers, coffee grinders or anything else that normally sits on your kitchen counter.
Prospective buyers will love your spotless, uncluttered kitchen!
When preparing a House to sell, take a critical look from the street. Walk up to the front door and try pretending you're seeing this house for the first time.
What's your impression? Is everything neat and tidy, or are there things that should be fixed up?
The backyard is important too. If the garbage cans are the first thing that catch your eye, hide them from view and place potted plants in that spot. If you have a back porch or a deck, is it in good repair or would some pressure blasting improve its appearance?
In the end, you need to make your home a showpiece. For more information continue on to Staging a house to sell.
Return from Preparing a House to Sell, to Sell Your Own House.
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Where to List Your House for SaleMost real estate legal documents vary from state to state. Find out which documents you will need during the FSBO process, and where can you get them.
For Sale by Owner Documents