Seller Resource Center

Prepare your house to be sold

Prepare yourself to sell your house. Do your best to look at your houses asa product to be marketed. This may not be easy, especially if you have been in the home for a number of years and have many memories. But it is necessary if you want to maximize your potential.

Consider a professional whole house inspection. An inspection will most likely uncover any major defects that you may what to repair or address. It also is a signal to buyers that you are a responsible seller.

Prepare the house to show it off to its most potential. Stand back and look at your house as objectively as possible. Ask friends and neighbors to look at your house, asking them to be totally honest. Would they buy it? Overlooking flaws could cost you sales and a higher price! Get them fixed before you put the house on the market.

Work with your agent on an effective marketing plan of attack. You want to get the word out about your house, and that is the agent's job.

Do what is necessary to make your house stand out from the competition. Make certain that your house is fresher, cleaner, and better maintained. That may mean fresh paint, some yard work, a new roof.

Remove most of "you" that you have in the house. Having a few family pictures around is fine, but buyers must be able to envision themselves in the house, which is nearly impossible if your pictures, furniture and knick-knacks are everywhere.

Some hints:

1.Disassociate Yourself With Your Home.

• Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold.
• Make the decision to "let go" and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
• Don't look backwards – look ahead.

2. De-Clutter!
People collect an amazing quantity of junk. If you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it and get get rid of it.

• If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Remove all books from bookcases.
• Pack up knickknacks.
• Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.

3. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:

• Clean up spice jars.
• Neatly stack dishes.
• Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
• Make sure shoes and clothing are all put away neatly




					Prepare your house to be sold Prepare yourself to sell your house. Do your best to look at your houses asa product to be marketed. This may not be easy, especially if you have been in the home for a number of years and have many memories. But it is necessary if you want to maximize your potential. Consider a professional whole house inspection. An inspection will most likely uncover any major defects that you may what to repair or address. It also is a signal to buyers that you are a responsible seller. Prepare the house to show it off to its most potential. Stand back and look at your house as objectively as possible. Ask friends and neighbors to look at your house, asking them to be totally honest. Would they buy it? Overlooking flaws could cost you sales and a higher price! Get them fixed before you put the house on the market. Work with your agent on an effective marketing plan of attack. You want to get the word out about your house, and that is the agent's job. Do what is necessary to make your house stand out from the competition. Make certain that your house is fresher, cleaner, and better maintained. That may mean fresh paint, some yard work, a new roof. Remove most of "you" that you have in the house. Having a few family pictures around is fine, but buyers must be able to envision themselves in the house, which is nearly impossible if your pictures, furniture and knick-knacks are everywhere. Some hints: 1.Disassociate Yourself With Your Home. • Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold. • Make the decision to "let go" and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours. • Don't look backwards – look ahead. 2. De-Clutter! People collect an amazing quantity of junk. If you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it and get get rid of it. • If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away? • Remove all books from bookcases. • Pack up knickknacks. • Clean off everything on kitchen counters. • Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use. 3. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets. Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means: • Clean up spice jars. • Neatly stack dishes. • Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way. • Make sure shoes and clothing are all put away neatly