Your Home Prep Checklist for the Spring Selling Season

Are you looking to sell your home this year? Here is my “Checklist for Success” as a guide to get a home in move-in-ready condition and attract more attention from home buyers. Try these basic, budget-friendly steps, that make a huge impact to help get your home sold!

 

Make basic interior and exterior repairs and updates.

• Is everything in working condition? Repair and replace broken bulbs, switches, ceiling fans, door knobs, leaky faucets, loose railings, and steps.
• Touch up any obvious cosmetic damage, such as holes or dents in the walls, peeling paint, water damage, or cracked windows and tiles.
• Switch out dated light fixtures and hardware in the entryway, kitchen, and bathrooms with more contemporary styles for an instant boost.
• Consider replacing older, less-efficient kitchen appliances with sleek, eco-friendly models to appeal to buyers.

Clean and declutter.

• Stow away personal photos, collections, and knick-knacks that could distract buyers from seeing the property’s best features.
• Remove unnecessary, dated, and larger furniture pieces that make a room feel dark and cramped.
• Hire a professional cleaning service to make the home shine and smell fresh, which is especially important if pets are present.

Refresh and brighten.

• Remove dated wallpaper and freshen walls with neutral paint so unique home features stand out.
• Remove dark and heavy curtains to let more natural light in and spotlight the windows.
• Remove and/or replace soiled carpeting, and polish dull and worn floors to make the room sparkle.
• Consider spraying older kitchen cabinets or dark wood vanities with bright white paint, and add updated hardware for an instant facelift.

Create a “wow” factor with inviting, modern styling.

• Return rooms to their original purpose to match buyers’ needs (i.e. style an upstairs office or extra storage room with a bed, night stand, and small desk).
• Use strategic furniture arrangements to improve flow and increase the perceived size of spaces.
• Pair furniture with on-trend, modern accents that help buyers emotionally connect, such as shag or woven rugs, colorful wall art, pillows, and bright white bedding.