Thinking about selling your home, but feeling overwhelmed by the long list of things you could do to get it ready? Maybe you’re wondering whether you should paint, remodel the kitchen, replace the carpet, update the bathrooms, or tackle that never-ending list of repairs. Well, I’ve got some good news! After years of helping buyers and sellers navigate the real estate market, I can tell you that sometimes the simplest things make the biggest difference. So, if you can only do three things to prepare your home for sale, what should they be?
Make That First Impression FABULOUS!
Curb appeal! Curb appeal! Curb appeal! Buyers begin forming opinions about your home before they ever walk through the front door. And you want that first impression to say, “Welcome! You’re going to LOVE it here!” Start by trimming the bushes, especially those that have grown up around the front entrance. Cut back overgrown landscaping, sweep the walkways, remove cobwebs, and give the front porch a good cleaning.
Then focus on your front door. Wash it, polish the hardware, and if it needs a fresh coat of paint, give it one! Add a beautiful, clean welcome mat. Maybe a seasonal wreath or a couple of attractive planters. You don’t need to spend a fortune. You just need to make your home look loved and cared for. Remember: Buyers are already deciding how they feel about your house before they turn the doorknob!
Clean, Declutter, and Then… Declutter Some More!
This one is HUGE! Give your house a really thorough deep cleaning. Windows, baseboards, floors, bathrooms, kitchen cabinets—the works! Then it’s time to start packing. Yes, packing! Because here’s the good news… YOU’RE MOVING!
All those little knickknacks you’ve collected over the years? Box them up! They’re going to your new house anyway. Or better yet, give some to Goodwill, your children, or your grandchildren. Let someone else enjoy them! Take a good look at each room. Are there extra chairs, tables, bookshelves, or pieces of furniture making the space feel smaller than it really is? Move them out! Rent a storage unit if necessary. Or, if you have room, neatly stack those boxes in the garage. Here’s a little real estate secret: Buyers are generally much more forgiving of a garage full of moving boxes than a house full of clutter.
They understand you’re moving! But when they walk through your living room, kitchen, and bedrooms, they need to imagine their furniture, their belongings, and their life unfolding in those spaces. And don’t forget the closets! If your closets are stuffed to the brim, buyers may assume your home doesn’t have enough storage. Remove a third—or even half—of what’s in them.
You’ll be amazed how much bigger they feel. Lighten up! Open up the spaces! Let your home breathe! You’re not just cleaning your house. You’re creating room for a buyer to fall in love with it.
Make Sure Your House Smells WONDERFUL!
Now, this third one is something sellers sometimes overlook. How does your house smell? I know, I know. You probably think it smells just fine! But here’s the problem: Our noses get accustomed to the smells in our own homes. If you have pets, have experienced moisture problems, or simply have years of cooking and everyday living in the house, there may be odors you don’t even notice anymore. So, here’s my advice.
Ask someone who loves you enough to tell you the truth! “Come into my house and tell me—how does it smell?” And give them permission to be honest. If there are odors, deal with the source rather than trying to cover them up. Deep-clean carpets, upholstery, and pet areas. Check for moisture issues. Consider a HEPA air purifier with a substantial activated-carbon filter to help with particles and some odors. For stubborn smells, professional odor remediation may
be worthwhile. And please, be careful with those heavy plug-in air fresheners and artificial fragrances! Sometimes they simply create an unpleasant combination of perfume and whatever odor you’re trying to hide. Strong fragrances can also bother buyers who are sensitive to them. Personally, I love the gentle smell of cinnamon. One of my favorite little tricks is to simmer a cinnamon stick with a couple of whole cloves in about two cups of water. It creates such a
lovely, warm, welcoming aroma, especially in November! Just remember to turn off the stove before leaving the house, and keep any fragrance subtle. A truly clean, fresh-smelling home is always the goal.
You want buyers remembering your beautiful home—not wondering what that smell was!
And There You Have It… My Top THREE!
Ready to make your move? At CENTURY 21 MVP, we love helping sellers identify the improvements that matter most—and avoid spending money on things that may not make a difference. Let’s make your home shine!
