Home buyers want to be blown away when they visit your home.
Your job then, when preparing your home for sale, is to do everything possible to give the buyer what they are looking for in terms of condition and amenities.
If you make the effort to do this it will almost certainly reflect positively on your bottom-line net profit when you get to the closing table.
Preparing your home for sale and keeping it in good condition while its on the market is one of the most important and crucial aspects of successfully selling the home yourself.
In my years of real estate experience I have learned that buyers really have no imagination whatsoever, and that the condition and presentation of your home may lead to literally thousands more dollars in the price you are able to get for your home.
Buyers almost always see only what is in front of them, and most believe only what is real and what they can see.
Don't ever expect a buyer to see the "potential" your home has to offer because they only see what is here and now.
Above all else be neat and clean everywhere.
Rooms, closets and cupboards need to straightened up and uncluttered.
This helps make your home look as large as possible.
Cluttered rooms can actually make large homes seem small, and lots of clutter is one of the biggest mistakes many do-it-yourself sellers make.
The simplest solution to the clutter problem is to simply get rid of it.
Everything that you don't use on an "every other day" basis should be put in storage or out of sight.
It's very important to pay close attention to all of the bathrooms in your home.
Be sure to get rid of all the mold and mildew and shower residue in your bathrooms.
Clean and polish the glass and mirrors so that they look as new as possible, and don't forget to check the caulking around the toilet and the tub.
Here are a few additional ideas that are inexpensive - but important - when getting your home ready for sale: * Make sure the front porch and entry area are spotless.
* Keep the curtain and blinds open and the lights on at all times during showings.
* Replace any mildewy or stained shower curtains with new, clean, bright and fresh ones.
* Caulk around any windows that leak.
* If your roof is visibly damaged it may be a good idea to call your insurance agent because this will be a problem during the inspection.
* Make sure the doorbell works.
If its not working it gets your home off to a bad showing right away.
* Eliminate all pet odors.
* Have your carpets professionally cleaned.
This is inexpensive - but is usually profitable to your bottom-line.
* Have the furnace inspected, cleaned and certified.
This always comes up during the inspection.
* If you have an automatic garage door opener - makes sure it works.
* Remove dead trees and shrubs.
It's a good investment to add new trees and shrubs or trim the old dead branches.
* Keep your gardens blooming.
The cost of replacing flowers is usually minor in comparison to the perceived value it gives your home.
All of the items on this short checklist are easy and inexpensive to perform - but make sure that you go through each before a showing or hold an open house.
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How to Set the Accurate Price for Your Home