Boost your Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, and many outdoor upgrades can be done without spending much money. Rent a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime from your siding and sidewalk. Paint the front door and shutters. Replace the house numbers, porch lighting, mailbox, and welcome mat. Spruce up your flowerbeds.
Focus on the Kitchen
Kitchens are often a make it or break it for buyers. Obviously larger purchases such as new appliances will go a long way, but not all upgrades have to be expensive. Start by freeing up as much counterspace as possible. Pack up anything that can go to maximize space in the pantry. Consider painting your cabinets and changing out the hardware. Look into peel-and-stick faux tile as a cheaper backsplash alternative. Add contact paper to the front of the appliances to give them a facelift. Finally, give everything a deep clean to make it shine.
Scrub the Bathrooms
This seems obvious, but dirty bathrooms can really deter potential buyers. Remove hard-water stains from the faucets, ensure there is no mold or mildew, and steam mop the floors. Clear off the counters and organize the cabinets. Consider replacing the shower curtain and bathmats. If your floor or shower needs a refresh, try regrouting or using grout stain.
Make the Bedrooms Inviting
Consider switching out your bedclothes for more luxurious linens. Try tucking a large comforter into a light-colored duvet to make your bed look plush. Add color with pillows and blankets. Remove clutter and personal items from dressers and nightstands.
Pare Down Furniture
Professional stagers often remove as much as half of the furniture when prepping a house. You want every room to feel large and open. Evaluate all of the furniture and decide which pieces add to the appeal and which can go.
Rearrange the Furniture
Once you have decided on the best pieces for each room, you need to figure out the best way to arrange it. To make a room feel larger, pull the furniture out from the walls, creating conversational groups. Ensure you don’t block walkways or features like fireplaces or built-in bookshelves.
Depersonalize
As precious as your family pictures and kids’ artwork are, it’s best to remove them before showings. You want potential buyers to be able to picture themselves and their families in your home. That’s easier if they are looking at generic artwork rather than pictures of your family.
Accessorize Carefully
Ensure your accessories don’t appear cluttered or overwhelming. Try incorporating three items with similar color, shape, or texture, and arranging them in a triangular shape, with the largest at the back and the smallest in the front.
Maximize Storage
Declutter closets and cabinets to show buyers how much storage you have. Use bins and baskets to hide clutter. Use shelving and shoe racks make your storage more versatile
Brighten the Space
Great lighting makes homes look warm and inviting. Open the blinds to let in natural light. Add overhead lights or lamps as necessary to really brighten the space. Aim for a total of 100 watts for every 50 square feet.
Use Curtains to Enlarge the Space
Use drapes that are the same color as the walls to make the space look wider. Make the space look taller by hanging the drapes starting at the ceiling and barely brushing the floor.
Erase Signs of Pets
Potential buyers can be turns off by pet odors or allergic to fur and dander. Thoroughly clean the areas where your pets spend the most time and ensure you have air fresheners to erase any lingering odors. When it’s time for a showing, take the pet beds, toys, food dishes, litter boxes, and pets with you when you leave.
Make it Smell Nice
Smell is one of the first things a potential buyer will notice. Add a few diffusers, scented candles, air fresheners, or fresh flowers around the home. Don’t choose strong or overpowering scents, instead opting for light, fresh scents such as vanilla, clean linen, or bamboo.