Preparing Your Home For Sale
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We stage every home for a reason: Industry data shows that houses in move-in condition and houses that feel warm & comfortable sell faster and at a higher price. With that in mind, let’s consider the steps to prepare your Denver home for sale.
1. Say Good-bye. To be successful at this project, you need to disassociate yourself from your house as quickly as possible. Imagine giving your keys and your packet of appliance warranties to the new owner. Imagine decorating your new home; imagine your future. And then tell yourself, “This house isn’t my home anymore. It’s a commodity – like a flat-screen TV on a store shelf – and I’m going to package it to sell.”
2. Stand at the Curb. Remember: You’ve got 60 seconds to create a great first impression. That’s it! That’s all the time you’ve got. Pour your energy into creating fabulous curb appeal. Trim the shrubs, clean the windows, sweep the porch. And more: Paint your front door, scrub & repaint the mailbox, mend torn screens. After you’ve done everything, leave the neighborhood and drive home again, watching your house as you approach it. Look at it from that angle: Do you see any forgotten details on the side of the house?
We have seen buyers in Denver stand on the porch and say, “Aaah, we’re home! This is the one!” – before we unlocked the front door! That’s how powerful curb appeal can be.
3. De-Personalize. Sadly, Denver buyers can’t see past personal belongings. Our team has watched buyers spend twenty minutes in a house – looking at the collection of Denver Bronco’s memorabilia. They didn’t notice the slab granite counters or the fabulous master suite. They were too busy admiring Elway’s framed jersey.
It is absolutely critical that your family pack away all photos and momentos. Your home will feel “bare” to you. But it won’t feel empty to the buyers. To them, it will feel like it’s ready for their photos and momentos.
4. De-Clutter. This is the toughest step to take. It’s easy to sweep the porch; it’s easy to pack away the marathon medals. But our mind’s eye doesn’t see clutter because it’s what makes our house feel like “home”. Start with the refrigerator. Place all the magnets and school calendars in a manila envelope. Stand back and look at the fridge: Now that’s de-cluttered! With that image in mind, look at the knick-knacks on the fireplace mantle. Yes, it should all be packed away, all except one large candle on the right side. Now, let’s de-clutter the end tables …
5. Make sure your home has a cozy place to sit. You may need to rent a couch & loveseat for a few months if you don’t already have a traditional seating area in your home. Make sure the accent pillows have warm colors and textures. It’s important that buyers can rest on a sofa and relax awhile. Studies show that if the buyers sit on your couch, a contract is likely to follow …
6. Rearrange bedroom closets and kitchen cabinets. Buyers in Denver don’t like to snoop. In fact, looking in closets feels intrusive. But they genuinely need to know if their stuff will fit. So they’ll open your closets and look in your pantry, with their mind’s eye on their collection of spices or their collection of shoes and purses. So pack up almost all of your shoes and purses. Pack away all of your out-of-season clothes. Nearly-empty closets feel enormous!
While you’re at it, arrange your remaining clothes by type and color. Alphabetize your spice jars. Face the soup cans and cereal boxes. Buyers will marvel at your organizational habits and imagine that you have taken detailed care of your Colorado home.
7. Perform Routine Home Repairs
- Fix leaky faucets
- Fix doors that don’t close properly
- Replace burned-out light bulbs
- Replace cracked tiles on floors or counters.
- Re-caulk the bathrooms and kitchen
8. Update where necessary. Very few home improvement projects return 80% of your investment, so go easy on the projects. Paint is one investment that pays big dividends, though, so it's a solid investment. Paint bedroom walls a neutral color, such as light mocha, especially where unique colors have been used. Replace light switch plates and doorknobs. Install a new spigot in the shower. These little details are immediately noticeable to buyers and leave a “well-kept” impression.
9. Make the House Sparkle! In addition to your regular household cleaning, perform the following tasks:
- Clean out the refrigerator. Scrub it like new!
- Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
- Wax the floors.
- Bleach the grout.
- Wash the windows – inside and out.
- Clean and polish all light fixtures.
- Dust ceiling fan blades.
- Vacuum daily.
10. Treat Yourself, Too! Purchase a new Welcome Mat for the front porch. Purchase a new set of towels and rugs for each bathroom, too. You’ll get to take your new things with you, but for now they will make your home feel ‘new’.
11. Take One More Look Go outside and stand at your front door. Walk through the entryway. Does the house welcome you? Linger in the doorway of each room. Is the lighting effective? Are the window coverings and blinds freshly dusted and hanging correctly? Have you removed all unneccessary furniture and accessories? Does it look like nobody lives in this house? Aaah, now you’re ready to list your Denver home!
List of Contractors for Realtors and Homeowners
5350 So. Roslyn Street #150
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Local: (303) 718-4148
Toll Free: (800) 515-0657
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