1. Pack away all personal items including photos, certificates, icons, diplomas and bills that may contain sensitive information.
2. Organize closet for the season. If you are selling in fall or spring pack away the items of the other season–summer and winter. It will create more space in the closet. Apply the 1/3 full rule.
3. Repair, Replace and Clean. A buyer will deduct for deferred maintenance in a much more generous way if a seller doesn’t keep up the property. Drooping fences, out of style lighting or tile and sticky door handles are some of the items that buyers will take note of when they tour a property.
4. The kitchen can sell a house. It can also provide challenges to the sale if not a welcoming place. Do you have a dated look with oak yellowing oak cabinets? Do you have florescent panels? Do you have outdated appliances or tile? Consider the kitchen the center jewel of a crown. Make it the cleanest, most stylish room in the home and you will usher in a profitable sale.
5. Stamp our odors. Refrain from cooking fish and using garlic and other potent spices while selling your house. Clean is the best odor a house can have with fresh air circulating. A pie or cookies in the oven will win over nearly any one shopping for a home. Refrain from the plug in oils as they clearly signal that other odors are being masked and can cause allergic reaction to many people as well.
7. After the first showing online in photographs, your property will be subject to the drive-by. Since we are in a five year drought in California, many yards will be looking a little lack-luster. Even if the lawn is not at it’s best, it is still important to do what you can to provide a focal point. A freshly painted front door, new door mat, bright and shiny porch light with some flowers near the porch can add much for a very small investment. The best flag to fly is the red, white and blue. What could represent the American dream of homeownership better?