Sell Your Home With Confidence: Expert Tips From Laurel Scott

Fresh Coat of Paint on the Front Door

Make a great first impression of your home with a freshly painted front door. Evaluate the condition of your home's exterior paint as well as the front steps, patio and railings. A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference!

Add Flowers to the Front Porch

Sometimes, the simplest things can make the biggest difference. New planters on the front porch filled with beautiful, vibrant flowers will make your home appear more inviting, warm, and welcoming.

Pressure Wash the Driveway

While a dirty, oil-stained driveway gives the impression of a home that may need some work, a pressure-washed driveway and walkway present a clean, well-maintained home.

Update Exterior Light Fixtures

Replace faded, builder grade exterior lighting with new, up to date fixtures. Shiny new fixtures will brighten up your home at night, and look clean and polished during the day. Evaluate the front door handle and lockset as well.

Keep the Lawn & Garden Tidy

An abandoned looking yard makes buyers think the home might be neglected, but a freshly cut lawn and well manicured gardens shows a well cared for home. Be ready for showings by staying on top of lawn mowing.

Add or Replace House Numbers

Clear, crisp numbers that can be seen from the street make your home easier to find as well as giving the overall appearance a little boost. You may also want to evaluate the condition of your mailbox.

Add a Welcome Mat

Add a brand new welcome mat to greet buyers as they walk through the front door. Even the smallest details like these can make a home feel more inviting.

Inside

• Clear off all flat surfaces - less is more. Put away papers and misc. Items.
• Depersonalize: take down family photos and put away personal items.
• Clear off the refrigerator: remove all magnets, photos, and papers.
• Replace burnt-out light bulbs and dust all light fixtures.
• Deep clean the entire house.
• Touch up paint on walls, trim & doors.
  

Outside

• Increase curb appeal: remove all yard clutter and plant colorful flowers.
• Trim bushes and clean up flower beds.
• Pressure wash walkways and driveway.
• Add a welcome mat to the front door.
  

Kitchen

• Clear off countertops, removing as many items as possible.
• Put away dishes and place sponges and cleaning items underneath the sink.
• Hang dish towels neatly and remove rugs, potholders, trivets, etc.
  

Bathrooms

• Remove personal items from counters, showers, and tub areas.
• Move cleaning items, plungers, and trash cans out of sight.
• Close toilet lids, remove rugs, and hang towels neatly.
  

In General

• The house should be very clean and look its best.
• The lawn should be freshly mowed and edged.
• Move pet dishes, toys, and kennels out of sight.
• Make beds and put away clothing, toys, and valuables.
• Turn on all lights and turn off ceiling fans.
  

Pro Tip

Before a showing, make sure there are not any lingering cooking aromas, pet odors, or other strong smells. This can be a deal breaker to some buyers.

Homes that are priced strategically from the beginning are much more likely to sell faster than those that are priced too high for the market. Comparing similar homes in your area that have sold and that are currently for sale will help determine a fair market price to list your home.

To make your home feel more spacious, try to minimize as much of your belongings as possible. No clutter around the house lets buyers see your house and not your things. They need to be able to picture your home as their own, so put away the family photographs. Evaluate what you can potentially live without for the next several months and start packing. It all needs to be packed anyway, so you might as well get a head start!

Everyone loves a clean home, so clean yours like you've never cleaned before! Show your home at its best with a spotless kitchen, super clean bathrooms, and shiny floors. You don't have to live like a clean freak forever, but buyers are sure to appreciate your efforts!

Preparing to sell often requires putting some money and work into your home. When buyers see repairs that need to be done, they start looking for what else could be wrong with the house. This could cost you thousands off your asking price or even risk losing the sale. Being proactive and completing home repairs before listing will help selling go smoother and quicker. Any repairs that are required after you've accepted a contract must be completed by a licensed professional.

Showing your home is an important part of the selling process, and being accommodating to showing requests will increase the likelihood of finding a buyer. Keep your home as "show ready" as possible at all times so that you can quickly tidy up on short notice and leave your home (taking your pets with you) before the potential buyers arrive.