Preparing A Home To Sell

If you have a St. Louis or St. Charles County, Missouri area home to sell, you’re probably thinking of how to get the most value for your home. While the current sellers market is beneficial for home sellers looking to get the most from their home sale, there is more you can do to ensure your home brings top dollar. We’ve put together a list of things to do to improve the condition of your home so that it looks its best in pictures and brings the most interest and offers when your home is listed for sale.

Create A Plan

Imagine you are a homebuyer and walk through your home. Write down anything that needs cleaning, fixing or updating. Consider any items that need to be sold, donated or thrown away to make your home feel more spacious. Get advice from a REALTOR who can see your home with fresh eyes through the lens of experience.

Prepare The Home Exterior

The front exterior of your home and its curb appeal will be the first things potential homebuyers see. So you must make a good impression to elevate the value of the home in the eyes of homebuyers.

• Touch up the paint on the home's exterior, including trim, doors and shutters.
• Inspect the roof and make repairs as needed.
• Check that the gutters and downspouts are free of debris.
• Wash the windows.
• Repair any cracks in the driveway and sidewalks.
• Make sure the lawn is mowed and that landscaping and trees are trimmed.
• Remove any debris, clippings, toys, trash, or pet droppings from the yard.
• Check front door, doorbell, address number, welcome mat and mailbox.
• Add color with seasonal flowers or shrubs if time allows.

Prepare The Home Interior

Before we discuss to-do’s for particular spaces in a home, let’s look at items throughout the home that need to be addressed before it is put on the market.

• Completely clean your home or hire a home cleaning service.
• Stow away valuables in a safe place.
• Repair any cracks or holes in walls and clean any marks or touch-up the paint.
• Repair or replace any torn screens.
• Clean carpeting and draperies for best appearance and freshness. 
• Clean and inspect the fireplace and make any necessary repairs.
• Lubricate squeaky doors, windows, and cabinets.
• Replace any burned out light bulbs.
• Pre-pack and store extra items or out-of-season items like holiday décor and clothes.
• If the basement or attic is a functioning part of the house, make sure the area is clean and in good repair.

Prepare The Kitchen

The kitchen has become one of the most important rooms in the house. It is a place that homeowners spend a lot of time cooking and bonding with their family. So it is a place that homebuyers pay special attention to.

• Be sure cabinets, refrigerator, ceiling fans and vent hoods are wiped down and clean.
• Clear the counters of any appliances. If an appliance must remain, be sure it is clean.
• Make sure the floors are clean. . If the floor looks old and dull, consider replacing the flooring.
• Organize your cabinets because potential buyers will often open the doors. 
• Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.

Prepare The Bathroom

Homebuyers will want to ensure any bathrooms in the home are in good working condition. Of course you’ll want to be sure that the bathrooms in your home are as clean as possible. You should also check the following.

• Replace old caulking around bathtub and sinks.
• Repair or replace any leaky faucets.
• Unclog and sanitize drains to remove odors.
• Keep the toilet seat lids closed.
• Keep fresh towels in the bathrooms at all times.

Prepare The Garage

If the home you are selling has a garage, you’ll want to prepare it to look its best for the home sale as well.

• Clean and organize items currently in the garage leaving room to store any additional items from inside the home.
• Any items stored in the garage from inside the home should be stored as neatly as possible.
• Remove any stains from the garage floor with degreasers found at your local home repair store.
• Remove any cobwebs from the ceiling of the garage and from around the doors.
• Make sure garage door openers and lights are working.

While you can’t control where your home is located, or the value of comparable properties your home will compete with when it is listed for sale, you can control the condition of your home. Using this list and talking to an experienced real estate agent like those on The Boehmer Team will ensure that you do everything possible to make the most from your home sale. Thinking of selling? Contact The Boehmer Team to make it a better experience. Still need more info? CLICK HERE to learn the Home Selling Process.