Just yesterday I was asked the question: “What should we be doing to get our home ready to sell?”  In my opinion these are the top 5 things you MUST do before listing your home.

1. Remove personal items

• I am sure your family is very attractive and that you smile every time you look at that photo of your wedding day or Fido sleeping on the sofa however, nobody wants to see you in a home they are trying to imagine themselves in.  Remove everything from the refrigerator bulletin boards in the office, trinkets, etc…

2. Make sure the first 60 seconds will knock socks their off.

• The look, sound, smell, and over all experience a buyer has once they exit their car, walk to your front door, and step inside will determine if they like your home or not.  People form a positive or negative opinion typically within the first 60 seconds and if it is negative it is really hard to turn it around.  Seal your driveway, mulch, weed, paint your front door, replace the hardware, clean the porch, etc…

3. Make sure there are no obstacles or eyesores

• Open the walking pattern of your home.  Address any obvious maintenance and cosmetic defects such as caulking, touch up painting, cleaning (carpets, tile grout, etc…), loose hand rails, broken towel bars, etc…

4. Kitchens and baths sell houses so make them shine

• Clear off counter tops and appliances, rid your refrigerator of all those tacky magnets, and old holiday cards, find a new home for your mixer, toaster, coffee maker, and wipe off that extra toothpaste off the bathroom sink every morning, etc…

A week or so of preparing your home can bring you a higher sales price and quicker sale don’t rush to get your home on the market when it just might not be ready yet, first impressions matter!