47 Easy Ways to Make Your Home sell Faster
 
Suggestions and ideas to improve your home’s
appearance and help you prepare to sell it faster!
 
Throughout the House
1.       Open the draperies, pull up the shades, and let in the sunlight.
2.       Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night, and install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly.
3.       Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge them.
4.       If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.
5.       Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times.
6.       Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well.
7.       Have a family “game plan” to get the house in order quickly if necessary.
8.       Air out your home for a half hour or so before showings, if possible.
9.       Lightly spray the house with air freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.
10.   Put family photos in storage
11.   Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture.
12.   Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture
13.   Putty over and paint any nail holes or other wall damage.
14.   Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger.
15.   Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.
16.   Clean all light fixtures to brighten the home.
17.   Wash all windows inside and out.
18.   Use plants sparingly – remove dead, scrawny or dying one too!
19.   Clear and tidy up the attic where applicable
20.   Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and exposed electric cords.
21.   Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, etc.
22.   Remove smoke and pet odors – carpets and drapes are often the culprit
23.   Repair/replace loose banisters and handrails
 
In the Kitchen
24.   Microwave a small dish of vanilla extract 20 minutes before a showing and put it in an unnoticeable place.
25.   Highlight an eat-in kitchen with a table set for dinner.
26.   The kitchen and bathrooms should always be spotlessly clean
27.   Expand your counter space by removing small appliances
 
In the Bedrooms
28.   Create a master suite effect in your decorating
29.   Depersonalize bedrooms and decorate in a neutral scheme.
30.   Make sure the beds are made and the linens are clean.
31.   Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items, store out of season clothes.  Real Simple has super ideas visit their site:  http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/closets/inspirational-closets-00000000013792/index.html
 
In the Bathrooms
32.   Wipe down the shower and sinks after use.
33.   Re-caulk the tub if the caulk is not sparkling white.
34.   Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub/floor.
35.   Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.
36.   Put out fresh towels and washcloths. Don't leave wet ones around!
 
Outside 
37.   Keep the yard mowed and raked at all times.
38.   Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway and patio.
39.   Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture and trash from the yard.
40.   Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios, and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept, and in good condition.
41.   Give front and back entry doors a fresh coat of paint.
42.   Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint it if needed.
43.   Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoors and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail box, address numbers, etc.).
44.   Prune trees and shrubs.
45.   Buy a new doormat.
46.   Be sure the front doorbell works.
47.   Be sure exterior doors and screen doors work properly.