THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU SELL YOUR HOUSE

Before you try to sell home fast, ask your land agent for guidance on improving your home's presentation. Your agent can tell you what buyers expect in your particular market and at your home's price point. The following 10 steps are a way to get a good head start on preparing to sell your home.

1. Welcome buyers. 

Make your front entrance visible and accessible to buyers.  Pot or plant colorful annuals and perennials to draw in attention from the road. Fix broken screens, doorbells, roof tiles, shingles, and outdoor lighting, and replace your doormat. Exterior defects can make a poor first impression on buyers.

2. Make it sparkle. 

Cleanliness implies a home has been well taken care of, so deep cleaning can win points with buyers. Buyers scrutinize homes, especially kitchens and bathrooms. Recaulk and repaint to give these grime-prone rooms a fresh and clean look. Clean rugs and carpets to eliminate unsightly stains or dinginess and eliminate odors.

3. Start packing. 

Cramped and cluttered rooms turn buyers off and make your house look smaller. A home packed with your personal belongings also makes it difficult for others to envision living there. Start by storing away excess furniture, toys, and private decorations, like family photos. 

4. Paint wisely. 

A well-done, no-frills paint job is all you need. Put a fresh coat of paint on white or beige walls, and repaint walls that have eccentric or unconventional colors. Nature- and spa-inspired neutral colors, such as taupe and subtle gray, are the best choices. Definitely don't forget the trim and molding either. And a fresh paint job on outdated or worn cabinetry goes a long way, too.

5. Fix the small stuff. 

Repair or replace broken or outdated hardware throughout your home. You can install new door handles, faucets, towel bars, and curtain rods - fixtures that are readily visible to homebuyers - rather inexpensively. New hardware in the bathroom, kitchen, and windows and doors also improves the functionality and safety of these components.

6. Update lighting. 

Replace decorative light fixtures that no longer fit your home's cleaner, fresher look. Install new bulbs with the acceptable lighting for specific areas of your home. For example, ambient, low-key lighting fills a room, whereas directional or task lighting works better in areas like a reading nook.