The FOR SALE sign is about to go out front, and you’re ready to get your property sold. It’s time to get it picture-perfect! No idea where to start? Check out this handy list on what you need to do to boost your curb appeal and make your interior irresistible. There’s a lot to do so let’s dive in!
Clean It!
Sure, you sweep the floors every now and again, but when’s the last time you cleaned under the couches? Also, when were you planning on cleaning off that mysterious orange-yellowish food stain on your kitchen wall? Now’s the time! Grab a mop, some dusters, and your gloves. You need to hit all the places (and we mean all of them). Clean those baseboards. Scrub that grout. Put some serious elbow grease into it. Kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, windows, and ALL the floors. Get in the corners and underneath edges.
Cleaning is hard work! Feel free to call in professionals. If you choose to hire a cleaning service make sure you understand what you’re getting.
It’s always a good idea to compare several companies before making your choice. Read reviews, ask each company for a cleaning list as well as a list of add-on services. This can make a huge difference. For instance, some companies include baseboards in their Deep Clean option while others consider it an add-on charge.
Ask about future committments. Some cleaning companies bury language in their service agreements to the effect that the client agrees to purchase 1 or more future cleanings. Most people only realize this weeks later when they notice a new charge from the cleaning company. Once the charge goes through, it can be almost impossible to get a refund.
Clear It!
Potential Buyers want to visualize themselves living in the space. You can help this along by storing personal items such as photographs, kids drawings, trophies, awards, etc.. This allows Buyers to walk in and immediately imagine all the ways they could utilize and decorate the home.
While it is a great idea to store personal items away, don’t completely undo your home. it still needs to feel like a home. Display neutral photos and artwork that coordinate with your rooms. Just remember to leave a little bit of neutrality for a prospective Buyer’s imagination to run wild.
Contain Your Clutter!
Alright, we get it. Life gets busy and weird items end up in weird places. Like, how did that pair of board shorts end up in the cleaning supply closet? When’s the last time you used that sushi roller sitting on top of the refrigerator? And, oh geez, the junk drawer. Who knows what kind of creatures have taken residence in that thing since you’ve moved in?!
Clean. It. Out.
Old mail? Trash it. Random pens and sticky notes lying around? Trash them. Toys everywhere? Adopt tidy storage solutions. Make it a game with your kids to get all the toys into the “fun” bins! Designate 3 or 4 bins that are utilitarian yet fashionable and get the kids to throw the toys in there.
Bottom line: Contain your clutter – you are moving out soon anyway, right? You’ll be doing your potential buyers and yourself a big favor!
Visualize It!
Close your eyes and put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. If you were seeing your home for the first time, would it seem appealing? Does it feel welcoming? Remember, you’re trying to create an aesthetic. If it feels too empty, try adding plants or artwork, both of which are perfect for filling out spaces without making them feel crowded.
Interior design elements to keep in mind:
- Aim for an organized color scheme
- Add mirrors to a room to make it appear larger
- Extra pillows and cushions are alwaysa good thing.
- Use artwork and plants to fill out rooms or spaces that feel too empty.
Paint It!
If you look closely at your painted walls, you will probably find stains and scuff marks. No worries, because it’s time to paint the walls! Painting is the easiest & simplest way to refresh a room and it covers a multitude of sins – scuffs, scratches, & all kinds of marks. Grease marks can sometimes bleed through new paint. It’s easy to address: clean the area thoroughly, let it dry, then apply a coat of grease blocking primer.Once the primer dries you’re ready to roll. It isn’t necessary to paint every square inch, but do take note of the walls in high traffic areas or those which haven’t been painted in years. Do they need a new coat? If so, let’s get to work! You need to get your home looking #fresh and there’s no better way to do it than a bit of a paint touch up here and there.
Curb Appeal!
The exterior of your home is the first thing a buyer will see. Set the tone and create the best first impression you can!
REALTOR.com® ranked landscape maintenance as the #1 project “likely to add value to [a] home for resale.”
A little effort on the exterior of your home can go a long way. The first step is to clean and assess.
Doors, Entryway, Driveway, Decks, Porches
First, clean everything. Wash the front door. Pressure wash the driveway. Give the front porch or entryway a throrough cleaning. Once you’ve cleaned off the dust and stains, it’s time to assess; check for peeling paint, rust or other disrepair.
Peeling paint? Repaint. Period.
Damage? Repair. DIY or hire someone? Use your best judgement; do you have the time, energy, and skill to tackle the job? The only thing worse than neglected damage is a bad repair job. Buyers will notice and it will not reflect well on your home. Tell-tale indications of poor maintenance could be enough to send Buyers off to continue their house hunt elsewhere. You certainly don’t want a sloppily painted front door to turn your Buyers off before they ever make it inside.
Bottom line: If you are unable do the job well yourself, hire someone who can.
Lawn & Patio
Don’t forget the patio and porches if you have them. Check the finish and recoat if necessary. Clean and check the furniture. If the patio set has seen better days, it may be worth it to consider investing in a new set.
Cut the grass, remove the weeds, and trim the hedges. Consider a lawn treatment. There are lots of “weed & feed” products on the market that are easy to apply and will make your lawn look great. Don’t give me that look – eco friendly options out there!
If you have shrubs or potted plants, make sure they are healthy and trimmed. Check the mulch and refresh if needed. Now add flowers! Do it. Take it from us, potted plants and flowers are like icing on a cake. They just make people happy and you want happy buyers.
Remove Debris
Finally, remove the debris. Make sure to bag up your plant trimmings and debris for pickup and arrange to have broken furniture or any material from repairs removed. Call 311 to schedule bulk pickup from the City of Atlanta.
Congratulations! Give yourself a pat on the back and bask in all this curb appeal. All your hard work will pay off in valuable curb appeal, and that will entice buyers in for a closer look!
Finally, Ask for Input
Your home is YOUR home. Whether you’ve lived there for 2 years or 20 years, you’re biased because it’s where you spend the majority of your time every day. Find a pair of fresh eyes. Invite a friend over to walk through and give you feedback. A third-party opinion can really help you see things you may have overlooked just because you’re used to them. Lean on your neighbors to help too. They’ll be honest – it’s what all good neighbors do!
Bottom Line: Be open to the feedback you receive and ready to make some changes or do some extra tidying up if necessary.
Handy Checklist to Prep for Photo and Showing Day:
There you have it! These are some of the best ways to get your home in shape for professional photography and showings. If you follow these steps, you’ll have a sale-ready #instaworthy property ready to hit the market.
Have more questions about how to prep your home for photos and showings? Need vendor recommendations? Get in touch. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have or send you a list of trusted professionals for any home related job you can imagine!
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