1) Get rid of clutter.
This is the number one thing you can do to make sure your home is ready for potential buyers to seriously consider your home. Everything should have a place, and everything should be in that place. Clutter is distracting, and you'd like your home to be as neat and clean as possible.
2) Maximize curb appeal.
The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see. If the outside of your home is neat and tidy, they'll assume the same about the inside. Give the front door a new coat of paint, store all unnecessary items in a shed or the garage, rake leaves, shovel snow, and/or keep the lawn looking tidy.
3) The devil is in the details.
Replace all the burnt out lightbulbs, touch up any nicks, dents, and flaked paint, replace torn window screens and fix any leaky plumbing. Once the fix ups are done, the next step is about the pretty stuff. Bowls of fruit on the kitchen island, fresh flowers, new greenery, and fresh linens in the kitchen and bathrooms make a home feel cozy and well-cared for.
4) Kitchens and bathrooms are the best places to invest.
Did you know that upgrading your kitchens and bathrooms before selling can result in a 229% return from the investment? That's a pretty penny. Replace cabinetry, countertops, tubs and showers, and toilets. If your budget is tight, consider re-caulking around the bathtub and sink, painting the cabinets, and upgrading countertops to a "stone-like" look. For even cheaper renovations, upgrading the doorknobs to brushed nickel or silver provides an immediate facelift to the cabinetry.
5) Light the way.
Utilize natural lighting whenever possible. If you can replace the current blinds or curtains, do it, and consider adding extra lights to areas that tend to be dark. Ambient light is an easy solution to rooms that are dim. Adding floor lamps and table lamps help brighten up any room. In dining and eating areas, consider upgrading to pendant fixtures.
6) Choose a neutral color palette.
When choosing colors to paint your home, think light and bright! Keep your ceilings white to avoid boxing up the space, and keep paint colors warm and neutral. Tan, taupe, beige, grey and similar colors make great wall and accessory colors. Remember the rule of thumb: if it hasn't been painted in 2 years, you should paint over it.
7) Remove most personal photographs.
Even though it might be hard, taking down personal photos makes walls and side tables look much bigger, in turn making your home look bigger. The more wall, the better. Remember, you want the model home look.
8) Get rid of any smells.
Ask a good friend or your real estate agent if your home has an odor. Buyers don't want to be living in a home that doesn't smell like them. The two hardest smells to get rid of are pet and cigarette, but there are ways to de-odor that won't make your home smell like a potpourri factory.
9) Rearrange.
Furniture placement is critical. Consider the traffic flow when your home is being shown. Try to keep furniture positioned in a way that keeps a lot of space open. Having to walk around furniture makes a home feel smaller. Don't be afraid to get rid of a few clunky pieces if you have to.
10) Keep your home looking like a showroom.
Wipe down the counters in the kitchen and bathrooms multiple times a day, make sure all bedrooms are clean and beds are made, clear the laundry out of the laundry room, take out the garbage regularly, and make sure your sink is always clear of dishes. You want your potential buyers to notice the home itself, not your leftover lunch in the sink.
Remember: always look at your home from the buyer's point of view! Be honest and objective.
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