Preperation and finalization step to real estate success The first step in getting your home ready to sell is to "de-personalize" it. A house can be a place to eat, sleep, park your car and put all your "stuff" (including other family members). Removing family elements such as photos, sports trophies, collectible items, knick-knacks and souvenirs allows the buyer to picture it with his “stuff”, thereby putting his “brand” on the home.

Your goal as a home seller is to let the buyer envision themselves as the home owner. If your possessions and clutter are filling the space it will be hard for the buyer to get that sensation. By taking a few simple steps, you can turn your home into a model showcase.

De-Clutter Your Home for New Buyers

One of the first things to do that will make your home feel more spacious is to de-clutter everything. Home buyers will go through everything during the walk through. They will pull open drawers, open cabinets, and check out the closets. Make sure these spaces are as cleared out as possible. An overflowing “junk drawer” or linen closet will impact the buyer's feelings about the storage space and general upkeep. Take everything out of the house that has been sitting in dusty corners for years. Either take the items to storage or have a sale in your newly de-cluttered garage.

Get the Kitchen Clean

The number one selling point of a home for the majority of home buyers is the kitchen. Most are looking for a large, clean, open space. Do major cleaning overhaul: scrub walls, back splashes, under the oven hoods, change fan filters, defrost the freezer, line cabinets and pantry shelves, make sure all lights work and keep the trash can hidden. Clear the counter tops of anything that does not need to be there. A wooden cutting board and a vase of fresh flowers are all you need.

Furniture Placemant & Removal

Even the interior of the Taj Mahal would look small if it was stuffed wall to wall with furniture. When showing your home you'll want your home to look as spacious as possible. Furniture can overpower a room, especially if it is placed awkwardly or is too large for the space. Usually, a simple change of arrangement can change the entire feel of the room. Take a walk through builder's model homes in your area or watch a home improvement show for ideas.

Aesthetics

Ceilings, walls, fixtures, lighting, carpet, doors and windows all come with the house and the buyer usually isn't willing to replace them after closing. Take the time to repaint walls neutral colors and make sure the ceilings are white. This will make the room look more spacious and the buyer will be able to imagine their color schemes throughout the house.

Same goes for carpeting. Although you think the orange shag in the den is retro and a great conversational piece, Suzie Homebuyer may not want to rake her carpet after she vacuums. Most homes just need a good carpet cleaning, but if your carpet is stained, old, outdated or harboring an un-removable smell, replacing it is not a bad idea. Look for inexpensive carpet in neutral colors. Avoid dark colors as well as white, buyers with families may shy away from the upkeep of white carpeting.

Make your house sparkle! Polish all fixtures in the bathrooms, kitchens, on doors, and wash those windows inside and out. Clean windows will bring in the sunlight, making your rooms bright and cheery.

Odor Control

If you are a pet owner or a smoker getting your home to smell fresh and clean will be an important “To-Do” list box to check. You may be used to the smell in your home and not realize how it may smell to a non-smoker or to a non-pet owner. If you are a smoker, try to limit the smoking to outdoors during the selling process. If you are a pet owner thoroughly clean the areas your pet spends most of it's time. If you have a cat, keep the litter box and the area around it clean. Invest in some carpet freshener and use every time you vacuum.

Sights and Sounds

The first thing a potential buyer sees is the exterior of your home. Make sure the yard is kept up. A simple strategy is to keep the property manicured (mow the lawn) and to add some bright flowers. A simple pot of flowers at the front door can do wonders. Any broken or cracked windows should be replaced before the showing process. Open and close all doors, any of the squeaky ones should get a shot of WD-40. The doors and windows should be easily opened and closed if they stick or are out of alignment, have them fixed before the buyer gets there.

Selecting a Real Estate Agent

Setting the Price for Your Home

Showing your House to Potential Buyers

The Real Estate Purchase Agreement or Contract

Preparing for the Real Estate Closing