1. DECLUTTER
Papers, files, kids toys, dog toys, bags and shoes, etc... all of these things need a place in your home and that place is not splayed out on the floor or counter. Storage totes and containers will become your new best friend. While your home is listed and available for buyers to come see it, all of the kids' toys need to be picked up and put in a toy box or other storage container in their room. Also, do not just throw everything that was once on the floor into a closet for an unsuspecting buyer to open and see an avalanche of clothes and junk coming at them. Clean up your closets too because they will be looking in them.
2. DEPERSONALIZE
Your job as a seller is to create a space that someone can make their family's home. Although your family and children are adorable and most people surround themselves with pictures of their loved ones, this makes buyers feel like they are a guest in your home instead of a buyer of a house for sale. It's hard to picture your family in a home when all you see are pictures of another family.
3. PURGE YOUR FURNITURE
Most people have WAY too much furniture in their home. For our sellers we have a general rule of thumb that we tell our sellers who are ready to sell - take two pieces of furniture out of every single room. These include side tables, chairs, desks, couches, etc. Store the furniture in a short term storage unit or if that is not an option then arrange the furniture neatly in the garage or store it off site somewhere else.
4. CLEAN!
Do a deep cleaning/spring cleaning of your home. If you have pets most people will smell them as soon as they walk in the door. There are some smells and dirt that you have gone blind to just because you have seen it every day. Cleaning includes thorough carpet cleaning (Rug Doctor, Zerorez, etc.), if you have tile then grout cleaning, dust all ceilings and light fixtures that are hard to reach and thus you haven't cleaned in a while (also dump out all light fixtures that may dead bugs or dirt collecting, stove tops drip pans, baseboards, and anything else that you have neglected for a while.
5. FOCUS ON FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE
Spruce up the front door. For most buyers they will either be standing there and waiting for their agent to show up or waiting for their agent to open the lockbox and door. It is also the first impression of your home. If there are any chips be sure to repaint the door. Add a welcome mat and a potted plant or nice sitting area off to the side of the door. Make your home as inviting as possible!
6. CLEAR OFF KITCHEN COUNTERS
Get into the habit of making your coffee and toast in the morning by taking out the toaster and coffee maker and then putting them right back. When I say clear off kitchen counters, I mean absolutely nothing on the counter. You want them to see how much space your kitchen has for their stuff.
7. BRIGHTEN IT UP
Before a buyer comes in to tour your home open up all blinds, shutters, and curtains on the windows to let natural light in. Also turn on all lights which makes your home look brighter and more welcoming.
8. PLUG IT IN
How a house smells is very important. If there are pets or strange cooking smells emanating from a house, that will be the first thing that the buyer will notice and comment on. Lighting a candle may help with the smell but the most effective strategy that I have seen is to have multiple plug in scents throughout the home. One in every room would be ideal and two in larger rooms would be enough to make the home smell pleasant.
