Preparing to Sell
OPEN HOUSE PREPARATION
1. Take a Tour of Your Home. Pretend that you’ve never seen the house before, and give it a critical look. Examine the exterior, walk through the interior, and smell for odors. You may ask a trusted friend to join you on your walk-through, helping you see things that you've learned to ignore. As you tour your home, make note of home improvements to help you sell and create a list of open house ideas.
2. De-Clutter in Every Room. To make rooms feel more spacious, remove excess and oversized furniture. You may also consider rearranging your remaining furniture to visually expand certain rooms. If your shelves are filled, remove some of the books, movies, and knickknacks to visually "open up" these areas. For the money, getting rid of clutter is one of the best home improvements to help you sell. Why? Because it's free! Throw out stacks of newspapers or magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items and out-of-season clothing in storage containers. Clean out and organize your closets, garage, cabinets, and pantry to make your home feel more accommodating.
3. De-Personalize Your Home. Unique things that make your place more "you" may actually distract potential buyers from envisioning their own personal touches. Remove or hide away items like family photographs, personal mementos and knicknacks, refrigerator magnets, and personal care items (like toothbrushes and medications) so potential buyers can imagine your space as their new home.
4. Let in (or Plug in) More Light. The lighter and brighter your home is when you hold your open house, the larger and more inviting it will seem to potential buyers. Here are some open house ideas for introducing more light: Wash your windows and screens to let more light into your home's interior. Put higher wattage incandescent bulbs in all your light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially in basements and other dark rooms. Be sure that all lights are turned on and all curtains are pulled open when you hold your open house.
5. Get Rid of Odors. To get rid of any offensive odors, you should steam clean your carpeting and drapes. This will go a long way towards eliminating cooking odors, smoke residue, and pet smells. After you've steam cleaned, keep your home smelling great by changing your bed linens and towels regularly, asking smokers to smoke outside, keeping pets outside as much as possible, sifting the kitty litter box daily, and keeping your windows open as much as possible. On the day of your open house, a scented candle is a nice touch.
2. De-Clutter in Every Room. To make rooms feel more spacious, remove excess and oversized furniture. You may also consider rearranging your remaining furniture to visually expand certain rooms. If your shelves are filled, remove some of the books, movies, and knickknacks to visually "open up" these areas. For the money, getting rid of clutter is one of the best home improvements to help you sell. Why? Because it's free! Throw out stacks of newspapers or magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items and out-of-season clothing in storage containers. Clean out and organize your closets, garage, cabinets, and pantry to make your home feel more accommodating.
3. De-Personalize Your Home. Unique things that make your place more "you" may actually distract potential buyers from envisioning their own personal touches. Remove or hide away items like family photographs, personal mementos and knicknacks, refrigerator magnets, and personal care items (like toothbrushes and medications) so potential buyers can imagine your space as their new home.
4. Let in (or Plug in) More Light. The lighter and brighter your home is when you hold your open house, the larger and more inviting it will seem to potential buyers. Here are some open house ideas for introducing more light: Wash your windows and screens to let more light into your home's interior. Put higher wattage incandescent bulbs in all your light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially in basements and other dark rooms. Be sure that all lights are turned on and all curtains are pulled open when you hold your open house.
5. Get Rid of Odors. To get rid of any offensive odors, you should steam clean your carpeting and drapes. This will go a long way towards eliminating cooking odors, smoke residue, and pet smells. After you've steam cleaned, keep your home smelling great by changing your bed linens and towels regularly, asking smokers to smoke outside, keeping pets outside as much as possible, sifting the kitty litter box daily, and keeping your windows open as much as possible. On the day of your open house, a scented candle is a nice touch.
A note about pets: On the day of your open house, ideally, you'll be able to relocate your pets. Not only will pets under foot quickly put a damper on an otherwise positive showing, but your pets will be safer—and probably less stressed—if they aren't in the home during the open house. If you can't take your pets to a friend's house or kennel, at least put them outside for the day.
6. Keep Everything Extra Clean. Take the time to clean every square inch of your house before holding your open house. "Clean, clean, clean" is one of the best showing tips for selling a home. Don't forget to look in places you might otherwise ignore: Fingerprints on light switch plates, dust on baseboards, film on shower doors, mildew on bathtub caulk, smudges or smears on kitchen cabinets, dryer lint residue on the washer and dryer. A house that is extra clean makes a powerful first impression and convinces buyers that the owners have taken good care of the home.
7. Expose Desirable Features. If you have beautiful hardwood floors, remove area rugs and show them off. If you have custom or oversized windows, replace heavy drapes with lighter ones that highlight this feature. If you have a pleasing view out a certain window, pull back the drapes to showcase the landscape. If you have a large walk-in attic, put a sign on the door letting potential buyers know to peek inside. If your deck is perfect for entertaining, help buyers envision family and friends enjoying the back yard together by "staging" the deck with potted plants, furniture, and a patio umbrella.
8. Give Extra Attention to Kitchen and Baths. Kitchens and baths are two of the most important rooms in the minds of potential buyers. You want to do all you can to make these rooms appealing for your open house. Here are some open house tips: Clear the countertops, leaving only a decorative item or plant. Make sure cabinets, appliances, and fixtures are sparkling clean. Expect that potential buyers will open cupboards, cabinets, and drawers, so clean and organize these areas. Mop and wax/polish the floors for a fresh, clean appearance.
9. Neutralize the Colors in Your Home. You may like bold, vivid colors but they could be offputting to potential buyers. As you change the colors in your home, remember that this is a home improvement intended to help you sell—not to please your own aesthetic sensibilities. Go with neutral colors—like linen, cream, or beige—in common rooms and bedrooms. You can safely add a splash of color in bathrooms with pale blues and cooling greens for a calming, spa-like effect.
10. Clean and Beautify the Exterior. To boost curb appeal, one open house tip is to give your home's exterior some extra attention. Clean your gutters, power wash your home's siding/windows, and make any necessary home improvements to help you sell. Give your home's entrance a little facelift by sweeping the walkway, putting out a new doormat, and placing some pots of flowering annuals by the door. As for the yard, make sure you remove any dead brush and overgrown plants. Weed the flower beds, trim the shrubs, freshen up the mulch, mow the lawn, and edge the sidewalks. A touch of paint on the mailbox and porch handrails can also add a fresh touch.
By following these tips for selling your home and hosting a successful open house, your hard work is sure to be noticed. Remember, it pays to do the work for your buyers, helping them envision your home as their own. You may even increase the offers on your home by thousands of dollars and sell your home more quickly!
7. Expose Desirable Features. If you have beautiful hardwood floors, remove area rugs and show them off. If you have custom or oversized windows, replace heavy drapes with lighter ones that highlight this feature. If you have a pleasing view out a certain window, pull back the drapes to showcase the landscape. If you have a large walk-in attic, put a sign on the door letting potential buyers know to peek inside. If your deck is perfect for entertaining, help buyers envision family and friends enjoying the back yard together by "staging" the deck with potted plants, furniture, and a patio umbrella.
8. Give Extra Attention to Kitchen and Baths. Kitchens and baths are two of the most important rooms in the minds of potential buyers. You want to do all you can to make these rooms appealing for your open house. Here are some open house tips: Clear the countertops, leaving only a decorative item or plant. Make sure cabinets, appliances, and fixtures are sparkling clean. Expect that potential buyers will open cupboards, cabinets, and drawers, so clean and organize these areas. Mop and wax/polish the floors for a fresh, clean appearance.
9. Neutralize the Colors in Your Home. You may like bold, vivid colors but they could be offputting to potential buyers. As you change the colors in your home, remember that this is a home improvement intended to help you sell—not to please your own aesthetic sensibilities. Go with neutral colors—like linen, cream, or beige—in common rooms and bedrooms. You can safely add a splash of color in bathrooms with pale blues and cooling greens for a calming, spa-like effect.
10. Clean and Beautify the Exterior. To boost curb appeal, one open house tip is to give your home's exterior some extra attention. Clean your gutters, power wash your home's siding/windows, and make any necessary home improvements to help you sell. Give your home's entrance a little facelift by sweeping the walkway, putting out a new doormat, and placing some pots of flowering annuals by the door. As for the yard, make sure you remove any dead brush and overgrown plants. Weed the flower beds, trim the shrubs, freshen up the mulch, mow the lawn, and edge the sidewalks. A touch of paint on the mailbox and porch handrails can also add a fresh touch.
By following these tips for selling your home and hosting a successful open house, your hard work is sure to be noticed. Remember, it pays to do the work for your buyers, helping them envision your home as their own. You may even increase the offers on your home by thousands of dollars and sell your home more quickly!
FINISHING TOUCHES
Because the longer buyers linger, the more time they have to fall in love with your home. All things being equal, it's the finishing touches that may make the difference between your home and all the others on the market. You can make sure you're appealing to your potential buyers' senses—sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch—by following this handy open house checklist.
Outdoors
When hosting your open house, ideas about how to make your home's outdoor spaces more enticing include:
Outdoors
When hosting your open house, ideas about how to make your home's outdoor spaces more enticing include:
- Place wind chimes on patios or porches; they’ll sound beautiful swaying in the breeze.
- Add potted flowers, ferns, or palms for color, texture, and movement on your patio and porch.
- Consider adding a tasteful water feature. Try a softly running fountain or bubbler on your patio or porch. See how nicely a birdbath in the garden reflects the sunlight.
Main Living Areas
In your home's main living areas, appeal to potential buyers' senses of sight, smell, and sound with these open house tips:
In your home's main living areas, appeal to potential buyers' senses of sight, smell, and sound with these open house tips:
- Place fresh flowers in the living room and bedrooms. If your home is painted in neutral tones, choose brightly colored flowers. If your home is already full of color, opt for lighter hues, such as white or yellow.
- If it's cool outside and you have a fireplace, start a fire and keep it stoked. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peels can be thrown into the fire for a beautiful aroma. Either you or an agent should be present; never leave a burning fire unattended.
- Place new throw rugs over worn areas of carpet by door thresholds.
- If it’s daytime, open shades to let in as much natural light as possible; at night, opt for the warmth and brightness of incandescent lighting. Be sure to use high-wattage bulbs in all your light fixtures.
- Play music softly in the background. Smooth jazz or classical can set a relaxed, upbeat mood.
Kitchen/Dining Room
Kitchens and dining rooms are where potential buyers envision themselves gathering with family and friends. Follow this open house checklist to make these rooms feel warm and inviting:
Kitchens and dining rooms are where potential buyers envision themselves gathering with family and friends. Follow this open house checklist to make these rooms feel warm and inviting:
- Use fresh citrus fruit in a large display bowl in your kitchen. Make tiny slices in the fruit to emit a sweet, clean aroma.
- Simmer apples, cloves, and cinnamon on the stove an hour before prospective buyers arrive. The spicy/sweet aroma creates a comforting ambiance.
- Remove shopping lists, stray notes, and other clutter from the refrigerator door.
- Slice a fresh lemon and run it through your kitchen garbage disposal.
- Set the dining table with your favorite tablecloth and best china and crystal.
- Place some bottled water out for potential buyers with a small sign inviting them to take one. You might also consider putting out a small plate of cookies for your guests.
Bed/Bath
The beds and baths should look and smell sparkling clean. Here are some of our favorite open house ideas for the bed and bath:
The beds and baths should look and smell sparkling clean. Here are some of our favorite open house ideas for the bed and bath:
- Wash all bed linens and towels in your favorite laundry detergent for a fresh, clean scent.
- Replace all your old shower curtains and liners. Aside from looking nice, it will infuse bath areas with a “new smell,” similar to that great new-car aroma.
- If your sinks and tubs are weathered, use car wax to put a glossy sheen on surfaces and tile walls.
Of all the open house tips out there, the ideas in this open house checklist are inexpensive and don't require any special tools or know-how. With these tips for selling your home, you're more likely to get the most out of your open house. By appealing to prospective buyers' five senses, you'll make the best possible impression, maybe even allowing you to sell your home more quickly and for more money.
OUTDOORS
1. Rake, rattle and roll! Convince yourself that raking leaves can be fun. Rather than wait for a single weekend, break this chore into stages. Matted leaves can lead to insect and disease problems and smother your turf, especially cool season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass.
2. To fertilize – or not to fertilize? Cool season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, fescues and perennial ryegrass often need fertilizer this time of year. Grasses that go dormant in the winter, such as Bermuda, Zoysia and Centipede may not. Visit Lowes.com for information choosing the right fertilizer.
3. Repair and re-seed. Fall is a great time to repair a damaged lawn and re-seed. Fill any holes or bare spots with topsoil and add grass seed.
4. Don’t forget to water. New grass in particular needs frequent but shallow watering. Once the grass is established, water deeply to reach the roots. To minimize the threat of fungal disease, water in the morning or early afternoon so that the grass blades are not moist overnight.
5. Prune with care. Pruning promotes growth, so be careful not to encourage growth when plants are about to go dormant. By all means remove diseased, dead or broken branches.
6. Transplant trees and shrubs. Autumn is a great season for transplanting trees and shrubs, allowing roots to get established before the cold sets in. Also, heat stress is not a concern. Visit your neighborhood Lowe’s Garden Center for a broad selection of trees and shrubs that can bring new life to your landscape.
7. Spruce up flower beds. Replace warm-weather annuals with seasonal favorites like pansies and mums. Clean out summer perennials and add a fresh layer of mulch, which can help protect plants from hard freezes.
8. Divide established perennials. If your perennials are looking a bit lackluster or overgrown they may need to be divided. The best candidates have large, healthy clumps and have been in the ground for years. By dividing these in the fall, you’ll enjoy healthier plants in more places next spring.
9. Plant ahead for spring. Foolproof and fabulous, spring-flowering bulbs put gardening within everyone’s reach. When choosing bulbs, focus on your favorite color, or try shades that accent already established plantings throughout your garden.
HOME INSPECTION
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Home Inspection Checklist
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What You'll Need
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Confirm that all utilities are on and pilot flames are ignited. |
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Make sure keys for all doors and gates are available to the inspector. |
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Make sure that all domestic animals are secured. |
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Change or clean dirty heating and cooling filters. |
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Clean kitchen range exhaust filter if there is a greasy build up. |
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Check batteries in your smoke detectors. |
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Return windows that have been painted shut to regular operation. |
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Replace torn weather stripping around exterior doors. |
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Replace any missing switch or receptacle covers. |
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Clean gutters and down spouts. |
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Trim back any tree limbs that may be touching the roof of the house. |
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Keep foundation vents open, except in frigid weather. |
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Have your HVAC control system serviced if it has been over a year since the last service. |
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