How to Get Top Dollar When Selling Your Home

If you are thinking about buying a new home, now is also a good time to think about how your current home will show to prospective buyers. Everyone wants to receive top dollar when they sell their existing home. Here are some ways to help you achieve top dollar for your home.

THE OUTSIDE – Curb Appeal

Take a look at the outside of you home. What will prospective buyers see? Will they see an attractive well-maintained home? Or, will they see a home where the bushes need trimming, toys are scattered around, paint is peeling, or the gutters need repair?

Make the front of your home as appealing as possible. This is the prospective buyer’s first impression. You want them to be so impressed when they first see your home that they can’t wait to explore further. (Remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.)

• Make the front of your home inviting.
• Trim all bushes and trees.
• Remove any debris from gutters and yard.
• Repair and paint doors, windows, shutters, screens and gutters, if necessary.
• Clean window and door glass.
• Repair cracks in sidewalks, driveways and siding.
• Decks and balconies should be in good safe condition – check railings and floor boards and repair as needed.
• Weed garden areas and keep plants looking healthy.
• Mow the lawn.
• Toys should be put neatly away.
• Replace outdoor light bulbs, if necessary.
• Clean out the garage. Remove all clutter from the floor, shelves, work benches, etc.

THE INTERIOR

Again, what will the prospective buyer see as they enter the home? Will they see a well maintained interior or will they be repelled by clutter, odors, flashy or “trendy” decorating and general disarray?

• Clean the home from top to bottom. No one wants to walk into a dirty home. Hire a cleaning service if necessary to make the home sparkle.
• Front hall areas should be free of clutter, warm and welcoming.
• Carpets throughout the home should be cleaned and in good condition. If the carpet is outdated or stained, new carpeting may be well worth the cost.
• Clean and paint the walls in a warm neutral color.
• Clear out all the clutter. Furniture tops and built-in surfaces should be visible and clean. Consider renting a storage area to hold the items you remove from the home that you wish to keep.
• Clean out the closets and remove extra clothing and clutter as necessary so the buyer will be able to really see the closet, not your stuff.
• Make minor repairs in walls, ceilings, leaking faucets and flooring.
• Consider new window treatments to update the look of the home.
• Change outdated knobs on doors and cabinets.
• Update old lighting fixtures.
• Update plumbing fixtures in baths and kitchen.
• If you have a fireplace – clean it.
• Make sure all appliances are sparkling clean and in good working order.
• Remove all pet odors and remove the pets at showing times and open houses.
• Be aware of cooking odors – they do linger in the air of your home.
• Make sure dishes aren’t piled in the sink or left in the dishwasher.

While all this work seems overwhelming, you will be pleasantly surprised how well all your hard work and minimal cost pays off when the offers to buy your home start coming in.