What are some tips to get a house ready and keep it ready to show for sale?

Question

I am planning to put my house on the market soon. It will have to have NO clutter at all times and always look clean.

Answer 1

I think if your house is in good condition and kept clean then that´s fine , if you think their are a few thing´s that should be touched up with paint , then by the cheapest, I say this because the people that buy your house will paint and decorate to their own chose. So no point in spending out any extra money for these thing´s . Also if you have a garden as long as it´s nice and tidy, then you have no problem .

Answer 2

Yep, personal items to the minimum. You want a generic house as much as possible.......the clutter issue.

People look for "space" that is larger rooms. You may have to move out some furniture so the place looks bigger......all those tiny end tables and bookshelves for example.

Walls and walls of pictures are distracting. A few properly sized pieces are better.

If walls are bizarre colors, modify them. I'm not saying white, but loud blue could be toned down.

When showing, turn on all the lights! People want bright homes. Windows with nice views should be open.....those others, well, have some alternative.

Curb appeal is critical. I've refused to look at homes that are "ratty". Plants should be healthy, concrete in good shape or at least repaired. One trick I used in landscaping was to take picture of a home onto a slide and then reverse the picture. Looked like a whole different house and could be more easily criticized. No more slides, but at least take a picture(s) and really critically look at exterior as well as interior from a "stranger's" perspective. Be brutally honest.

Having a profession critique your home before hand is excellent. Listen to them.......it's not your ego, it's your pocketbook.

Answer 3

Go around and freshen up your walls. Make sure any scuffs on the walls are cleaned off, and if the paint is dull do a fresh coat of paint. Semi-gloss paint will brighten up a dark room.

Plug-ins in a nice neutral scent all over the house. Also make sure the whole house is free of clutter, and clean. You might even need to rent a storage space to store some of your furniture. Less furniture, while still looking livable will open up the room and make it look larger.

Change all of your light bulbs to the highest watt they can take. Buy the good bulbs that are clean light, I like the GE Reveal lights. When showing the house, make sure all of the lights in the house are on.

Make sure all of the windows in the house are clean and sparkling, and when showing the house the drapes are open. If you’re not going to have the windows open to let in fresh air, then take out the screens and store in the garage, attic, or basement. It will open up the windows and let more light in.

If you have a dining room set your table for a formal dinner. It will bring people ideas of having their own dinner parties. Like wise, set your kitchen table.

Cook something nice in the oven. Even cookies from refrigerator dough will make the kitchen smell nice.

Leave flyers with color photos of the house out for people to take with them. It will keep your house on their minds.

Fresh flowers or nice fake flowers set around are a nice touch.

If you are a smoker, do not smoke in the house. You’ll need to do an extra good cleaning on the house to help rid it of the smell. Nothing turns someone away from a house like a nasty smell.

Plant some cheap, brightly colored flower in the front of your house. Curb appeal will bring people into the house.

Keeping the house this way is going to be a daily project.

Good luck!

Answer 4

When we listed our home on the market, we rented a storage unit and moved all our extra furnishings and accessories into storage. This was a life saving step that enabled us to sell our home quickly for the price we wanted. People are buying your home, not the contents. When you eliminate all unnecessary items, this shows off your home in its best light. Remove family photos, knick knacks, personal items. When showing your home,light a candle that smells like a baking apple pie. This creates an atmosphere that makes them want to stick around a while. It makes is smell like home, their home.
Keep all garbage out of sight. Keep the beds made, and dirty laundry out of view. Clear off counter space, polish the sinks, tubs, showers, etc. Wash the windows, inside and out. Make sure the mirrors are clean and streak-free. This shows that your home has been well maintained.
Make sure there is no clutter outside as well. Be certain that the yard is clean and free of debris. Make sure the walk ways are in good repair. Landscaping should look clean and fresh. These are things that we did to have a very successful sale. Hope they work as well for you.

Answer 5

If you have children, pack up any toys with small parts. This will make a quick clean-up possible if you get a call that someone wants to show your home in 10 minutes. Start clearing-out your closets. Cluttered closets emphasize a lack of storage. Even if you have ample storage in your home, if those storage areas are filled to the brim, it will look like there's not enough storage. Vaccuum or sweep your floors frequently. MAKE your BED each morning. Keep on top of dirty laundry so there aren't piles of clothing anywhere when potential buyers come thru. If you have a pet, keep that area clean and clear. Wash switchplates and trim around doors, paint any areas that need touching-up. Empty any dead bug carcasses out of light fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs. When showing your home, leave all the lights on. Try to avoid stinky cooking. Especially things like fish and onions that permeate the house for days after cooking. Keep on top of dirty dishes. Have your windows washed inside and out. Have your walkway and drive way powerwashed. Stay on top of lawncare. Get some flowers in pots near your outside entry for added freshness and curb appeal.

Answer 6

My realtor friend said the fastest way to show and sell a house is to pack up all the clutter (you're moving anyway) and clean out cabinets and things out of your closet that you don't need. ie, pack up all the nonessentials in your house that keep your home from looking open and roomy, go minimalistic almost. With most of the clutter gone, just pick up and dust. Use hampers at last minute to hide stuff laying around. No one wants to see your dirty clothes.

Answer 7

now that it's spring time weather you can plant some color flowers in your garden or have a couple of hanging flower pots outside to make a nice entry to your home. Have the yard mowed-no weeds in the grass. Put a welcome mat on your doorstep. In the master-bath have some decorative candles make sure the bathroom is spotless no rings in the toilet(always have the seat closed when you are not home). If you have time repaint the inside of the house or at least a couple of the rooms with a nice soft neutral color. good luck to you on selling your home

Answer 8

Just went through that. We had to get everything really tidied for the realtors virtual tour shoot. The realtors also offer "stagers" to help you get your house together so it looks its best. They don't clean for you, just offer suggestions so it shows better. After that, everyone in your household should chip in to help keep it clean and clutter free. I daily would just do what I call the fluff....dust, spot vacuum, clean litter box, check bathrooms.

Answer 9

My bf's selling his house soon and this is what he was told--
1--Rent a storage unit and put all non-essentials in it
2--Put a fresh coat of paint on everything (not happening but we have painted some things!)
3--Put dishes in stove (just don't turn it on!) if there's no time to do the dishes and no dishwasher....
4--Shoes off at door and vacuum often
5--Burn candles or liquid potpourri at open house