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Preparing a House to Sell
Many buyers peruse neighborhoods looking at listed properties
from the outside before inquiring with the listing agent to show them the
inside. A first impression is hard to shake and if the prospective buyer doesn't
like the house from the outside, they probably won't inquire at all. To get them
past the front door, you need to add some curb appeal. Here's a list of items
that will definitely add value to your home.
Outside Maintenance
 | Clear your gutters and
downspouts of debris (leaves, sticks, etc.) that may block the flow of water
from your roof. |
| Properly grade the area under
your downspouts and around your house, so rainwater flows away from your
foundation. Splash blocks can help rainwater at downspouts flow in the proper
direction. If necessary, add extensions to your downspouts. |
| Plantings should be set away
from the foundation to ensure regular watering does not add to soil moisture
around the basement. Lawn sprinklers should not hit the house or the area next
to the foundation. |
| Ensure that landscaping around
the foundation (sidewalks, patios, gardens, etc.) starts at 8 inches down from
the top of your foundation wall and slopes away from the home. Failure to do
so may cause moisture to build up at or around the foundation and promote the
environment for mold growth. |
| Keep mulch, dirt and other
landscaping material away from veneer drainage system weep holes commonly
found on, but not limited to masonry and stucco homes. The veneer drainage
system diverts water away from the interior of the exterior wall system and
the weep holes allow the water to escape the wall. If the weep holes are
blocked or clogged with debris, mold may form on the interior of the exterior
walls. The weep holes are found at the bottom of the finished veneer.
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| Sidewalks, steps and exterior
foundation cracks should be filled to bring up to date. |
| Caulking around windows, doors,
chimney/siding cavity, foundation, and other common leakage points is
necessary to prevent any moisture intrusion. |
Inside Maintenance
| Clean everything in sight. The
kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and general living spaces, and clean/test
household appliances and equipment. No matter what physical condition the
property is in, it should be clean, tidy and uncluttered. |
| You want buyers to view your
home as their potential home. Therefore put away family photos, sports
trophies, collectable items, knick-knacks and souvenirs. Put them in a box or
a rented storage area for a few months. |
| Shampoo rugs and wax floors.
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| Wash walls and use a broom to
clear cobwebs from the corners of rooms and closets. |
| Wash windows and clean blinds or
draperies. |
| Repair those small things now,
like leaky faucets, missing tiles or broken screens. |
| Replace all burned-out light
bulbs. |
| Properly insulate (12" of
blanket or 8" of blown-in insulation) and ventilate the attic of your home.
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| If you are a smoker, clean,
prime and paint any nicotine stained walls and ceilings thoroughly and refrain
from smoking in the home. |
Basement
| Neaten up the basement.
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| Clean up and correct any water
problems in your basement, including upgrading the foundation with a mortar
parging at all loose cavities and cracks. |
| Test sump pump. |
The Day of the Showing
| Before you leave, turn on all
lights, open all curtains and shutters to let in as much light as possible but
screen out unappealing views. |
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