Clark-Branch Realtors
Greenville, NC
Real Estate
1-800-326-SOLD




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How to Prepare Your Property for Sale

Set a New Mindset

  • Not a home anymore, but an investment for sale.
  • Remove emotions and see through buyer’s eyes.
  • If you think fixing up your home is too much trouble, the buyer will probably too. Buyers will look closely because they may own it. Buyers can be influenced emotionally and make instant decisions based on first impressions.
  • Put yourself in the Buyer’s shoes! Remember, they arrive at your front door wanting to find the right home. Don’t make them search somewhere else for it. If you have done your homework, every room in your home will create a desire for the buyer to stay.
  • Do everything before putting your home on the market. Complete all your repairs, improvements, and enhancements prior to your first showing.

Six areas to create a Positive Experience

  1. Remove Clutter – Clutter makes rooms feel smaller. When in doubt, throw it out, sell it, store it, or give it away. Eliminate clutter from counter tops, bookcases, top of refrigerators and floors. Rearrange your house from house living to house showing condition. Change the role from homeowner to home seller.
  2. Clean – Every square foot, inside and out. Consider professional cleaning. The entry area, kitchen, and bathrooms are very important. Unclean rooms make a buyer uncomfortable. Dirty, disorganized houses stop buyer’s cold. Have carpets cleaned.

    Always keep lawns neatly trimmed, clean windows, Paint or clean entry porch and front doors. Organize closets to make them appear larger.

  3. Repair – Eliminate buyer objectives before they arise. Small needed repairs make buyers wonder what else is wrong? Buyers are easily distracted and look for reasons not to buy your house. A home in need of small repairs sometimes gives buyers a reason to continue to keep looking.
  • Fix leaking faucets
  • Replace burned out light bulbs
  • Tighten loose faucets and toilets

    Sellers should know the buyer would have an inspection done by a licensed professional prior to closing. If you as a seller think there may be repairs that need to be done, you may feel it conducive to go ahead and have an inspection done when you put your home on the market.
  1. Neutralize – Use neutral paint, wallpaper, and floor coverings. Remove posters and pictures that may distract. Remember dark or bright colored walls could kill a deal. Remove refrigerator magnets, etc. We want the buyers to use their imagination to see how this house will look with their personal items. Your objective here is to make your home appeal to the largest possible buying segment. Ask yourself, "How many of the available buyers would be able to move into your house with their furniture and not have to replace the carpeting?" Position your home on the market to be as livable to as many people as possible, and allow the buyer to mentally picture the home as theirs.
  2. Source of Power – Make every room special with extra touches that catch the eye. Fire in the fireplace, game set on table, open books, plants, open all shades, clean light bulbs, afghan over sofa. Remove clutter from closets; add accents to bathrooms and kitchen. Soft music, comfortable temperature, pleasant aroma, turn on all lights, bright and cheerful, turn off televisions, close all drawers. Remove pets and pet odors. Clean out garbage disposals – baking powder helps remove odors. Light scented candles. Place scented soaps in the bathrooms.

Additional Tips for the Outdoors

  • Generally, improve the curb appeal of your house. Trim the lawn and shrubs.
  • Make your front door and porch attractive. You only get one chance to make a positive first impression.
  • Fix cracks and bulges in walks and driveways; also remove oil stains.
  • Paint siding, windows, shutters, doors even the mailbox.
  • Replace a worn doorbell. Replace an old doormat. You may want a new one that says, "Welcome."
  • If you have pets, confine them to an area out of the house. It is best to remove them all together. Take them for a ride.
  • If you have a porch or deck, set the stage with pots of flowers and attractively arrange furniture.
  • If you are selling during the winter months, you may want to place a wreath of dried flowers on the front door.
Additional Tips for Indoors
  • Clean kitchen, wash and put away all dishes. Clean oven; exhaust hood and inside of microwave. Get rid of clutter on countertops this makes them appear roomier. Some buyers will judge the maintenance of the entire house by the cleanliness of the kitchen.
  • Polish wood floors and stairs.
  • Steam-clean or replace worn carpeting.
  • Tighten hardware and especially doorknobs.
  • Scrub bathroom counters, sinks, and tiles.
  • A clean smelling house creates a positive image in the buyer’s mind. Be aware of odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc., that may have adverse effects on potential buyers. Remember the some people are much more sensitive to odors than others. Smokers rarely notice the odor of tobacco that fills their homes, and pet owners may be oblivious to objectionable doggy odor.
  • Show time – Pick up every morning. Assign jobs to each family member. Make it Fun! A spotless house is easy to explore and buyers imagine it as home.

  • Always try to leave the house during the visit. Buyers will be more comfortable if the owner is not present. Always assume the agent is working in the best interest of the buyer.