5 Simple Ways to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

Getting your home ready to sell is a stressful process. You want to attract buyers, but also not spend thousands of dollars on a place you’re leaving. You don’t need a professional stager or designer to get your home ready for the real estate market. Doing it yourself will not only save you a boatload of money, but it’s a practical way to facilitate your move. If you don’t know where to start, never fear, here are five simple ways to get your home ready to sell.

Get Cleaning

No one wants to walk into a prospective home and find it cluttered, dirty, and full of the current owner’s stuff. Make sure you give your home a deep clean before putting it on the market. Wash the windows and baseboards, bleach the kitchen and bathrooms, and make sure carpets aren’t stained or retaining any odor. 

Studies show that buyers are more receptive if they can visualize themselves in the space. If you have tons of personal mementos, photographs, and custom furniture, they may be put off by it or not be able to see beyond it. This is why cleaning out your home and depersonalizing it is imperative to get your home ready to sell. You can do this by getting out as many of your personal items as possible. This may be artwork, patterned pillows and rugs, or even a unique lighting fixture. Some personality isn’t bad, you don’t want your home to seem too boring after all, but if it’ll be about balance. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Rid of Stuff

Take this as an opportunity to see if you have too much stuff yourself. Over time we all collect more things than we actually need. As you declutter for sale, sift through your belongings and decide if you really need or use everything. You can make designated piles for smaller items, whether you want to keep it, sell it, or donate it. For larger items you can use different colored sticky notes or tape to indicate where each item will be ending up. For bulkier items, contract a hauling company to take it away.

Make sure you really think about how much you use the item or wear it in terms of clothing. Is there wear and tear? Is it broken? Is it just collecting dust? These questions and more will help you decide if it’s worth lugging the item to your next place of residence.

Expand Your Space

By hanging mirrors, especially large ones, you’ll be creating a larger sense of space in your home. This will make rooms seem more attractive as well as brighter, as the mirrors will reflect light. Also make sure to have all window blinds and curtains open. Light makes everything look nicer and more welcoming. If the weather allows it, opening some windows to allow fresh air in will also add to the illusion of more space.

Other ways you can expand your space is by using a clear shower curtain, floor to ceiling drapes, and lengthening carpets with stripes in hallways. Anything you can do to make your home look bigger and better than it is will be in your favor.

Don’t Forget Your Curb Appeal

Everyone tends to focus on the inside of a home, but if potential buyers don’t even like the outside when they first pull up, they may not even bother heading inside. If your home needs a fresh coat of paint, do it. If shingles are loose, fix them, if your gutters are packed, clean them out. First impressions matter.

Landscaping can be expensive, but also a sound investment. Concentrate on beautiful flowers that are in season or bushes that won’t grow too wild. You may not have time to trim and garden while you’re getting ready to move, so planting items that are ready to go will not only save you time, but make it look like you’ve had this garden all along. If you’re lost for ideas, check out gardening magazines or blogs for ideas.

Welcome Them Home

It’s an old trick, but a good one. Just before you start the open house, make sure there are baked goodies in the kitchen. Not only will the smell be pleasing— after all, everyone loves cookies—but it will also create a homey atmosphere. Also, chances are people will be peckish and will appreciate the extra mile you’ve gone to cater to them. Plain chocolate chips are always a great stand-by, as some people may be allergic to nuts, but sugar cookies with home-themed frosting decoration are a great choice as well if you are feeling crafty. You can also include a personalized note, welcoming them into the home. It’s the little things that people remember most.