You've asked for it and finally I have compiled my 5 "must do" tasks for getting your home ready for sale.
1) Front entry - I can not stress this enough. Make sure that your potential buyers enter through the front door, not the garage, not the side service door, etc. And pay attention to detail! Fully operational doors, clean, keys operational, fresh door mat, decorative wreath, & no hanging wires from the broken doorbell!
2) Smell - Make sure your home is rid of offensive odors. Sometimes, that means actually removing the dog, the kennel, the bowls, the toys (if they don't see a pet? possibly they don't smell one?)
Garbage taken out, diaper odor gone, last nights poker game smell - eradicate it. And for heavens sake, do not have candles burning all over the place! That is a sure sign of a cover-up.
3) De-clutter - You have seen it on "Sell this house" and it is true. If you have to get storage boxes to store your "stuff" then do it. Closets should appear roomy, not sparse mind you, but the offering of ample storage possibilities. Table tops with 15 framed pictures - put in storage. Your buyers want to picture themselves in your home, not you! Walls, mantles, & countertops should not be overly decorated. Just the necessities - coffee maker, utensil bin, etc. NOT: cereal boxes, loaves of bread, medication containers, dirty dishes, etc.
4) Repairs - any annoying little item that you have been procrastinating on, get it done! You know what I am referring to: loose door hinges, chipped paint on the corners, burnt out lightbulbs, sticky sliding glass doors, broken cables on windows, etc.
5) Yard - pay attention to it. Mowed, trimmed, weeded, flowers and bushes maintained, no toys laying around, & yard furniture neatly arranged.
Good luck getting your home ready!
