Monday, 28 November 2016 18:25

How To Prep and Stage Your Home For Sale - Part II

In this second installment of the three-part series on prepping and staging your Denver home for sale, we will look at things you can do to prepare your home for sale. Last month we took you through creating your to-do list for fixing up your home. This month we’ll give you some basic housekeeping tips to make your place ready for the real estate agents and home buyers who will be going through your home from top to bottom.

In this second installment of the three-part series on prepping and staging your Denver home for sale, we will look at things you can do to prepare your home for sale. Last month we took you through creating your to-do list for fixing up your home. This month we’ll give you some basic housekeeping tips to make your place ready for the real estate agents and home buyers who will be going through your home from top to bottom.

Prepping the Outside of Your Home for Sale

The curb appeal of your Denver home can mean the difference between getting a potential buyer to love your home or making sure they pass by without walking inside. Last month we had you look at the big structures like doors, windows, roof and siding. Now we are going to zero-in on the details that can shade a buyer’s perception of your home.

Weeds – Uproot them and spray weed killer on the areas where they are likely to regrow.

Grass – Reseed empty patches to get a more even-looking lawn. Water the lawn before showings to make the grass appear greener.

Hedges & Bushes – These should compliment the landscape and not distract the buyer’s eye from the home. Make sure they are trimmed and look neat.

Sidewalk – Sweep the dirt and leaves from the sidewalk to make the home look organized and well cared for.

Driveway – Remove oil stains from the driveway. Dawn dish detergent will work on small stains, and you can use a commercial oil stain remover for larger stains. Move your vehicles off of the driveway so buyers have an unobstructed view of the house when they pull up.

Prepping the Interior of Your Home for Sale

Clutter - Clutter is a sale killer, so remove all of it from tables, dressers, desks, counters, shelves, bookcases and any other open space in the house. The home buyer needs to envision their life in your house and having too much clutter around inhibits their imagination.

Here are additional tips for prepping every room in the house.

Kitchen - Remove any grease splatters from around the stove and on the backsplash. Hide the extra cookbooks and excess appliances in a cupboard to keep the countertops as open as possible. Take dirty dishes out of the sink and if need be, put new sink mats in that are clean and free of any food debris. Take the trash out, so it doesn’t look or smell badly.

Living Room - Even though they aren’t buying your furniture if yours looks dirty or worn, the house will too. Clean fabric couches with a sponge soaked in a mild detergent and warm water. Microfiber couches can be cleaned by spraying on rubbing alcohol and rubbing with a light-colored sponge or white bristle dish brush. Scrubbing in circles will loosen the stains and soften the material. Dusty air vents will make your house look unkempt, so fold a rag over a butter knife and swab the vents. Carpet stains can be removed with a solution of ¼ part white vinegar and ¾ part water. Spray the carpet stain, cover it with a damp rag, and iron with a warm iron to remove stubborn stains.

Bathrooms - Bathrooms are expensive to renovate, so buyers like to see a bathroom that they can live with. Help them see the bathroom as a positive aspect of the home by removing all your personal items from the countertops. Next, spray a solution of ¼ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of lemon juice, ½ cup of vinegar, and four cups of water onto the grout in the shower. Let it set for five minutes and scrub the grout with an old toothbrush. Rinse with water. And of course, scrub the toilets inside and out. The cleaner the bathroom, the better.

Scent- You don’t notice the smell of your home anymore because you live there, but others walking in for the first time will. Make sure it’s a pleasant smell with an air freshener, being careful not to overdo it.

Prepping and staging your home well will get you the best price possible on your home. It takes some effort, but the results are worth it.

When you’ve sold your house, give us a call to schedule your move. We offer reliable residential and commercial moving services in the Denver metro area.