Tips Before You List

 Before you list your home for sale, focus on these essential preparation steps to maximize your home's appeal and market value:

1. Declutter - You want the house to look spacious, especially the primary living space. Remove excess furniture. Thin out cabinets, closets and other storage areas. Put away knickknacks, mail, magazines, refrigerator magnets and toys, etc. Clear kitchen and bathroom countertops, etc. Straighten up offices.
2. Depersonalize: You want buyers looking at the house, not your stuff.  Store away personal items, family photos, diplomas, memorabilia, provocative art, religious items, collections, etc. Also, hide cash, jewelry, medications, weapons or anything you consider valuable, fragile or dangerous.
3. Deep Clean Every Room: Most buyers want a house that is move-in ready. Vacuum, sweep, scrub kitchen appliances, wipe down cabinets and light switches, clean windows, and make bathrooms sparkle along with fresh towels and spotless mirrors. You may also want to repaint a room to neutralize a bright color or change out worn carpets.
4. Boost Curb Appeal: First impressions are a big deal. Cut the lawn and shrubs. Sweep walkways, power wash the exterior, add fresh mulch, and jazz up the front door so it looks welcoming. Perhaps add flowers on the porch.
5. Make Minor Repairs: Buyers don't want problems. Replace light bulbs, fix leaky faucets, touch up scuffed paint, tighten loose door handles, etc., so buyers feel as though the house is properly maintained.
6. Neutralize Odors: Your house should smell like "nothing", except clean. Eliminate pet, smoke, or cooking odors naturally rather than masking them with heavy artificial air fresheners.
7. Gather Important Documents: Organize your home’s records, including property titles, HOA documents, surveys, floorplans, brochures, tax history, permits, and appliance manuals.
8. Visit Town Hall - Understand what your town's requirements are to sell a house. Some towns require a Certificate Of Occupancy, Certificate Of Continued Occupancy and/or Fire & Smoke Certificate. You will also want to see if you have any open permits or violations which might hinder the sale process.