Room by Room: Preparing for Showings

One thing is for sure, Buyers love to snoop and will inevitably open every closet door and look inside many cabinets. It is good to organize what is left in your home so that it shows that you are immaculate and the home is in perfect condition. Let’s take a tour of your home and get everything cleaned out and organized to prepare for showings and the best first impression.

Kitchen

In the kitchen you want to make sure every surface is free of clutter. Including taking small appliances off the countertops. Pack away all those knick-knacks. Clean fridge doors by removing magnets, family photos and awards. The dishes that are left should be neatly stacked. Hide those spice jars to keep things organized. Clean inside the cupboards, take everything out and wipe the insides. Pack everything else in boxes and store them for now.

Once everything is cleaned out it will look open and organized. As a bonus you are ready for a stager if you decide to hire one.

Bathrooms

Remove the toiletries you have on display, nobody needs to know you use Head & Shoulders or what brand of toothpaste you use. A good option is a toiletry bag or Dopp kit to store it in. Invest in some new towels for display only. And for a small price you can replace old toilet seats, curtains and mats to give your bath an instant fresh new look.

Bedrooms

Make your bedrooms as inviting as possible. So beyond decluttering and cleaning you may want to invest in a few things. A new neutral-colored duvet and pillows will make your bed look fancy and if the floors are laminate an area rug will make the space feel warmer.

Take down any personal family photos and decor leaving it simple and spacious. This will also include removing any bulky dressers, nightstands or other furniture that make the room feel small and claustrophobic. This will get you ready for showings.

Closets

Make sure your closets show plenty of room for lots of stuff. Remember, less of you will give the buyers the vision of themselves living there. While you are at it, hang your shirts together facing the same direction and line up the shoes. Pack any loose items away or put into little bins to keep like items together and out of sight. Taking a minimalist approach will naturally invite buyers to linger longer, instead of wanting to move on quickly to the next house showing.

Living Room

The living room should be a haven of peace. More often than not it is one of the most used rooms in the house. Make sure to not only get rid of the clutter but to also replace old throw pillows and possibly get a new area rug to bring the space together. Make sure to pack all the magazines, dvds, cds, and records. Hide what you wish to have around while you’re selling your home in your media console, including cable wires . Nothing looks more disorganized than a pile of wires running from speakers, computers and entertainment centers.

Stage your furniture facing amenities being sold with the home. It is important to showcase your fireplace, instead of your prized tv that isn’t included with the listing. Paint the picture for the buyers enjoying this cozy living space for themselves. Pack away Deer trophies, religious paraphernalia or anything that could pose to be offensive to a buyer. Making your living space look less “lived in” is the name of the game.

Entrance

Most Buyers will have an emotional reaction to your home within 15 seconds of entering it. So make their first impression a lasting one. Make it inviting and spacious. Only have a few coats on the rack and store your shoes neatly in your own personal closets. Be disciplined and store things away. A cluttered foyer that makes the entrance look like the kids just home from school will leave a lasting taste in the buyers mouth but not in a good way.

Outside

Curb appeal is the first impression. Stand outside your front door and ask yourself if the home welcomes you in. Take note of anything that needs to be repaired or hidden.

Some general things to do…

1. Keep the sidewalks cleared.
2. Mow the lawn.
3. Paint faded window trim.
4. Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow Marigolds are inexpensive, and evokes a buying emotion.
5. Trim your bushes to allow more natural light come through the windows
6. Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.
7. Clean the scuff marks off the front door
8. Touch-up the chipped paint or give it a fresh coat.
9. Clean up the garden.

In the backyard try to keep everything maintained and clean. Mow regularly, stain the deck, and clean off the BBQ. A Power Washer will go a long way toward making patios and siding look brand new, and that illusion of new will surely put more bucks in your pocket. Check out Sunday for lawn care tips.

Having all this accomplished, reward yourself with a cold drink and a long nap to ready yourself for the next step in preparing for showings: Deep Cleaning