Preparing Your Home For Sale

Sprucing up is mostly about selling fast, not for more money

by Hal Feldman (MiamiHal.com)

Selling your home is just like selling anything else. You need to highlight its strengths, focus on its features and bring out its best. Here are 10 tips on how to sell your home faster.

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  1. Curb appeal is vital. Make sure your lawn is neatly trimmed and cut regularly. Rake up any refuse or leaves. Sweep the walk. The front door should be clean and presentable. If the doorbell isn't working, fix it.

  2. Make a lasting first impression. Faded walls and worn woodwork won’t sell your home. A small investment in paint will. Don’t hesitate to decorate, with a small budget.

  3. Open the blinds, drapes and curtains. Clean the windows. Home buyers are drawn to bright, cheery interiors. Let the sunshine in. Put bright LED bulbs into fixtures. I prefer 3000K color temperature.

  4. Dripping water suggests worn out plumbing. Clean those rust-stained and calcium deposit sinks. And make sure the drains are running free and clear. Call the plumber if you need to.

  5. Loose door knobs, sticking drawers, wobbly hinges and stuck windows can all cost you a sale. Fix them! Pay close attention in the kitchen and the primary bathroom. The devil is in the details.

  6. Keep stairways and corridors clear and free of clutter. Cluttered areas are not only unattractive and hard to move around during showings, they’re dangerous as well. Safety sells.

  7. Let prospects see the big picture. Make sure your garage is neat and organized. Give your storage spaces a clean coat of paint. Sell the whole house.

  8. Buyers love big closets and storage space...and they look even bigger when they’re clean and well organized. Get rid of the piles of clothes, old boxes/packaging and other clutter.

  9. Make bathrooms sparkle. Clean sinks and bowls. Recaulk where needed. Make sure towels and area rugs are freshly washed. Air fresheners add to a sense of cleanliness. Bathrooms are big selling points.

  10. Bedrooms are also important, especially the primary bedroom! Keep them spotless! Remove excess furniture. Use attractive and colorful bed linens and spreads. Open the drapes/blinds/shutters and let the light in. Remember: this is where your buyers spend one-third of their lives.

Each home is different. The MiamiHal Team can provide custom tips and tricks for you and if the job is bigger, we work with incredible staging companies as well.