The choice to put your house on the market takes a lot of time and thought. Having prospective buyers trooping through your house, upsetting your schedule, and invading your privacy, among other things, is all part of the selling process and has to be taken into consideration as part of the decision to sell your home.
But what preparations are required to make the selling process easier, more manageable, and more successful? There are many steps that can be taken while preparing your home for sale that can make life easier during this process. Some cost nothing but a little elbow grease.
Here are some tips for making your home look its best.
Most people pack up their stuff after they sell the house, but why wait? Sellers should start packing as early as possible, ideally before putting the house on the market. Boxing up as much as possible and setting it aside in the garage or some other storage area will make the space in your home look larger and more inviting. The less clutter the better.
After clearing away clutter, polish the hardwoods, clean the countertops, and dust those light fixtures. Make that stainless steel shine!
If you have an overabundance of furniture, try to remove some of the pieces out those crowded rooms so the rooms will give an airy and spacious feel, as opposed to seeming like a loaded warehouse of furniture that must be sidestepped at every juncture.
Saving energy with low-wattage bulbs? Admirable during the regular course of the year, but when preparing your house for sale, those bulbs should be immediately changed to higher wattage. No one wants to enter a house and feel like they are going through candlelit areas. Good lighting makes people feel good and shows off your house to its best advantage.
While you’re changing those bulbs, make sure to change any bulbs that have burnt out or are missing, especially in the basement areas. Rummaging around the basement searching for a working light bulb is a real turnoff.
Do you have a great laundry room? Make sure it is well lit to show it at its best and that things are well organized. Keep your soaps and other items lined up on shelves, and existing laundry set up in bins to the side to give your laundry room a clean look.
And, last but not least, nothing impresses prospective buyers more than a home than looks and smells clean. Take the time to make sure the floors are washed, the house is dust-free, the bathrooms are neat and tidy, the clothes in the various bedrooms are put away, the beds are made, and the garbage is taken out. A home that buyers see is maintained well by its owner has an increased value the minute one enters and sees its beautiful order and the pride the homeowner takes in its condition.
Your outdoor area should be combed and cleaned as well. Any broken lawn furniture or children’s toys should be removed, as well as any other loose items just lying around with no particular purpose.
Take a little time to make sure your flower beds are nice and clean and weed-free. All of these small things present the appearance of a house well cared for and maintained. n
Anessa Cohen lives in Cedarhurst and is a Licensed Real Estate Broker (Anessa V Cohen Realty) with over 20 years of experience offering full-service residential, management, and commercial real estate services in the 5 Towns of Long Island as well as the tri-state area. She can be reached at 516-569-5007, or readers are encouraged to send any questions or scenarios by email to anessa@avcrealty.com.
