Getting ready to list your home for sale is less stressful when you’re well prepared. Follow our list of 10 things to take care of before listing your home and feel confident as your home goes on the market.
Declutter Surfaces
It’s difficult to move on to the other items on the list if the house is covered in clutter. Start with all of the surfaces of the house, such as counters, coffee tables, and nightstands. Next, delve into the corners of the house where you’ve stashed things under beds and tables.
Clean and Dust
Give your home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Pay special attention to flooring, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Get your broom and vacuum ready because it’s time for the dust bunnies to make an exit. Dust everything from ceiling fans to under furniture.
Unclog the Drains
Buyers who are interested in a home will run the water and flush toilets. The last thing you need is a clogged or backed-up drain. Watch for signs that you’ve got a backup in your drainage system and get it fixed before listing your home.
Get Organized
Make the house look so organized that you start to reconsider selling. The most important areas for organization are kitchen cabinets, pantries, and closets. Spend a Saturday organizing, and it’ll make quite an impact during showings.
Paint Doors and Trim
Freshen up the house with touch-up paint on the doors and trim if your trim is outdated or painted and needs refreshing. White is popular and makes rooms look brighter.
Replace Lightbulbs
Walk through the house and replace any dull or burnt-out lightbulbs. This is a simple way to brighten up rooms and make them look clean and bigger.
Shine Glass and Appliances
Grab your favorite window and appliance cleaners and a roll of paper towels and shine all the shiny glass surfaces in your house. Here are some places to consider cleaning:
Stove
Dishwasher
Refrigerator
Stone counters
Windows
Doors
Mirrors
Open Up Window Treatments
Let the sunshine in and make rooms look bigger by opening all your window treatments. Remove heavy drapes and open blinds and shades. Make sure any window treatments still hanging are freshly cleaned.
Keep the House Cool
When buyers walk through a stuffy home, it gives them a negative feeling. Keep the house set at a cool temperature so buyers feel alert and the house isn’t humid or sticky. Run ceiling fans if the air conditioning isn’t enough.
Make the Garage Attractive
Finally, clean out the garage. Try these steps for a clean and organized garage:
Remove everything.
Sweep it out and hose down the floor.
Remove cobwebs from corners.
Wash windows.
Go through items removed and donate or throw away what you don’t need.
Add shelving if you don’t have any.
Place what’s left neatly on the shelves.
Pull cars back in.
We hope our list of 10 things to take care of before listing your home helps as you prepare for an exciting move. Remember, every step is worth it for a stress-free, quick home sale.
