7 Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Sale And Standout

So, you’re ready to sell your home! However, the last thing you want to do is fix it up when the new buyer is going to redo the paint, kitchen, and bathrooms the way they want to, right? Nope! The reality is that most buyers simply can’t visualize what a space could look like. They assume that minor cosmetic repairs are more expensive than they actually are, which means lower offers on your home. This is exactly what you DON’T want to happen. So to help you avoid this, we’ve compiled a list of 7 tips to get your home ready for sale AND have it sell for the highest possible price. And yes… it’s worth it!

#1 Curb Appeal

Did you know that many buyers drive buy prospective homes before they decide to attend an open house or schedule an appointment? So step outside and look at your house from the curb. Is the grass dried out? Do you have tired looking or dead plants? Are there bare spots in your landscaping or overgrown shrubs?

Curb appeal is the buyer’s first impression of your home. So get that grass looking green again and plant some fresh shrubs and blooms before listing your home for sale. Create a welcoming experience from the outside that will draw people inside.

#2 Paint the Walls

If your walls are dirty, tired looking, or the colors are very specific, a fresh coat of paint will go a long way. Repaint the walls with contemporary neutrals that are fitting for the space before selling your home. Can’t decide which shade is best? Don’t stress! With Oriana’s design background we can help you pick out the right paint colors for your home that will appeal to a wide range of home buyers.

#3 Shine Up the Floors

If your wood floors have normal wear and tear, a nice buff and polish will go a long way! Unless you have wood floors that are severely damaged, worn, or stained, it doesn’t make sense to have them refinished.

#4 Spruce Up the Bathrooms

Again, paint can go a long way in here too. Painting the cabinets and installing new knobs and hardware can completely transform an old vanity. Replace broken or missing tiles, re-caulk moldy areas, and re-grout stained and missing grout to get your home ready for sale.

Do you have one of those cool pink or blue bathtubs? If the retro look doesn’t fit the style of your home an easy fix is to have them re-glazed. This is a really cost effective upgrade if the tub is in good shape. Small improvements like replacing old fixtures and mirrors can also spruce up the space.

#5 Kitchen Face Lift

While remodeled kitchens help homes sell faster and for a higher price, it’s possible to update a kitchen without having to gut it (or your bank account). Applying the same principles used for the bathrooms works here too! Painting the cabinets and replacing dated knobs and fixtures will give the space a nice face lift. Replacing the countertop and backsplash will definitely go a long way and might be more affordable than you think.

What about those old appliances? Most real estate professionals agree that replacing them will add more value to your home. Stainless steel appliances can be purchased very reasonably nowadays and completely transform your kitchen.

#6 Clear the Clutter!

Imagine new construction and model homes. They are beautifully decorated to accentuate a space so that potential buyers can mentally move in. However, they won’t do that if they are distracted by your personal stuff. Coffee tables, kitchen and bathroom counters, windowsills, and even refrigerators, should be cleared of personal items, photos, and tchotchkes. And remove all those magnets from the refrigerator doors.

While you have enjoyed looking at the collage of framed photos on your wall or tabletop, this is what distracts buyers when going through a home. So declutter and make the focus about the room and not about your collectibles. And since you’re going to pack and move at some point, start purging what you don’t need now!

Pro-tip: A bookcase should have at least 40-50% of open space on each shelf. Don’t clutter it with books and knick knacks.

#7 The Nitty-Gritty

It’s time for a deep clean! One thing that will turn a buyer off quickly is a dirty house or one that has pet hair or other odors. So the cleaning basics of vacuuming and dusting just won’t cut it when listing your home. Clean the dust and grime that has collected on the blades of your ceiling fans, baseboards, frames, and other surfaces. And wash the windows — at the very least the ones in the front of the house or leading to the backyard.

Bottom Line

The big takeaway to remember is that your home gets one shot at a great first impression. Therefore, preparing your home for sale using these tips will set you apart from the competition.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, give us a call! We’ll provide you with personalized tips to help you get your home ready for sale and show off all its wonderful features. At The Oriana Shea Group we’re here to answer any questions you might have and put you at ease when it comes to selling your home. We will help you prepare your home from start to finish and can oversee the process if you don’t live in the area. 

Call (562) 270-1775 Today or Contact Us HERE!

About The Oriana Shea Group

At The Oriana Shea Group, you will find a wide variety of useful tools and resources designed to help you with the home-buying and selling process. From information on the region’s different communities to a free comparative market analysis on your home, it’s all available here on our website. Our full-time agents serve Long Beach, Seal Beach, Lakewood, Rossmoor, Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach and the surrounding areas. The Oriana Shea Group also specializes in Trust and Probate Sales.