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1725 1st Ave S. Fort Dodge, IA 50501 (515) 576-2012
A motivated home seller knows that the appearance of a home can be the single, most important attraction to a homebuyer. Many homes need minor improvements and repairs before they go on the market. By doing a walk through of your home using this information and the checklist, you’ll be sure that your home is in peak performance before you put your house on the market.
1. Begin To Disassociate Yourself With Your Home
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Say to yourself, “This is not my home; it is a house.”
Say to yourself, “This is not my home; it is a house.” •Decide to let go of your emotions and focus on the fact that this house will no longer be yours.
Decide to let go of your emotions and focus on the fact that this house will no longer be yours. •Picture yourself handing over the keys to a new owner.
Picture yourself handing over the keys to a new owner. •Say goodbye to every room. Look toward the future.
Say goodbye to every room. Look toward the future.2.De-Personalize
De-PersonalizeAs much as the family photos on the wall mean to you this is the time to pack them up. Buyers need to
imagine their own photos on the walls. Buyers can become distracted looking at your pictures and
collections, they need to remember your home.
3.De-Clutter
De-ClutterPeople tend to collect an amazing amount of “junk”. Here are some things to consider:
•If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it?
If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it? •Remove all books from bookcases.
Remove all books from bookcases. •Pack up all knick-knacks.
Pack up all knick-knacks. •Clean off all counters. Put essential items in a small box that can be stored away during showings.
Clean off all counters. Put essential items in a small box that can be stored away during showings.4. Clean Those Closets & Cabinets! Buyers Look Everywhere
If they see everything is organized, they will feel that you probably take good care of the rest of the house.
•Hang shirts together facing the same way.
Hang shirts together facing the same way. •Line up shoes.
Line up shoes. •Neatly stack dishes.
Neatly stack dishes. •Turn all coffee cup handles the same way.
Turn all coffee cup handles the same way.5. Rent A Storage Unit
•Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces that block or hamper paths.
Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces that block or hamper paths. •Remove the bookcases.
Remove the bookcases. •Remove extra leaves from the dining room table to make the room appear larger.
Remove extra leaves from the dining room table to make the room appear larger. •Leave just enough furniture to showcase each room’s purpose.
Leave just enough furniture to showcase each room’s purpose.6.Remove Or Replace Favorite Items
Remove Or Replace Favorite ItemsIf you want to take any window coverings or built-in fixtures with you, remove them now. For example, if
the chandelier in the living room once belonged to your grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees
it, they won’t want it.
7.Make Minor Repairs
Make Minor Repairs •Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
Replace cracked floor or counter tiles. •Patch holes in the walls.
Patch holes in the walls. •Fix leaky faucets.
Fix leaky faucets. •Consider painting your walls neutral colors.
Consider painting your walls neutral colors. •Replace burned out light bulbs.
Replace burned out light bulbs. •Re-caulk tubs, showers, and sinks.
Re-caulk tubs, showers, and sinks.8.Make The House Sparkle
Make The House Sparkle •Wash the windows inside and out.
Wash the windows inside and out. •Clean out the cobwebs.
Clean out the cobwebs. •Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
Polish chrome faucets and mirrors. •Clean out the refrigerator.
Clean out the refrigerator. •Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades, and light fixtures.
Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades, and light fixtures. •Replace worn rugs.
Replace worn rugs. •Hang up fresh towels.
Hang up fresh towels. •Vacuum daily.
Vacuum daily.9.Check Curb Appeal
Check Curb Appeal •Keep sidewalks clear.
Keep sidewalks clear. •Mow the lawn.
Mow the lawn. •Paint faded window trim.
Paint faded window trim. •Trim the bushes.
Trim the bushes. •Make sure visitors can read your house numbers.
Make sure visitors can read your house numbers. •Plant yellow flowers. Yellow evokes a buying emotion!
Plant yellow flowers. Yellow evokes a buying emotion!
711 2nd St. Webster City, IA 50595 (515) 832-3364
Preparing Your Home To Sell
