Fort Lauderdale Real Estate | Preparing Your Home To Sell

Staging Your Home To Sell

Fast, Simple Fix-Ups That Will Help You Sell Your Home For The Highest Possible Price!

Think of your home as a product or service. You need to "package" or "stage" it attractively to create a demand for it. Here are some fast, inexpensive changes that should make your home stand out among similarly-priced homes in your neighborhood:

It begins with the Exterior

Your yard, and the exterior of your house, is the first impression that potential buyers have of your home.

Yard - Keep your lawn neat and well trimmed, with well proportioned shrubs. Consider replanting flowers or creating a flowerbed to enhance the appearance of your yard.

The Front Door - Make sure your door is tightly on its hinges! Furthermore, the door should be neat and clean. Paint it if it needs it. If the door is in poor shape, consider replacing it. Consider adding an inviting "welcome mat".

Home Exterior - Check for missing roof tiles, straight lines on gutters, shutters, and windows; solid caulking around roofs and seams. Apply fresh paint where it needs it. Also, make sure the windows are clean; potential buyers often peer through the windows. Be sure that the pool is clean and crystal clear.

The Interior

Lights - During the evening, or whenever you have potential buyers in the home, make sure ALL lights are on and use high wattage bulbs. This makes the room appear more inviting and spacious. Also, make sure window treatments are always open to let as much sunlight in as possible.

Smell - I recommend using a vanilla air freshener that applies to your air-conditioning filter. This gives your home that "new model home" aroma.

Air-Conditioning - Be sure the air-conditioning is turned on and the home is cool and comfortable. This is especially important in the summer months.

Remove Excess Furniture - Remove as much furniture as possible. This can make your rooms appear dramatically larger.

The Living/Family Room - Strive for lived-in, cozy feeling. Discard worn, chipped, frayed furniture. Add lamps if it is dark. Open window-treatments. Set out fresh flowers.

The Kitchen - Many buyers judge the house keeping by the oven and stove. Appliances should be spotless and everything in perfect working condition. Replace or repair anything that sticks, squeaks, or drips. Clear counter-tops of all clutter.

Master Bedroom - This is the second-most appealing room to a buyer (after the kitchen). Remove excess furniture to make it appear larger. Show the true size of the closets by removing or packing items that can be stored elsewhere.

Bathrooms - Make sure bathrooms are always neat and clean. Remove clutter from sink counter-tops. Make sure showers are free of soap scum and tile grout is in good shape. Most buyers pay special attention to this.

Setting the Stage - Make sure that the exterior and interior are both in order prior to showings. Appeal to the potential buyer's senses; turn all lights on, home has a vanilla aroma, and perhaps soft classical or jazz music playing.

Leave the House - You know the saying, "Two's Company, Three's A Crowd!" Leave the house and take the family and family pets with you. Buying a home has a lot to do with emotions, so allow the buyers privacy to walk through your home. It is important that the buyers relax and "feel" comfortable and "assume ownership." If you must stay home during a showing, be courteous, stay out of the way, and only answer questions when asked. Do not engage conversation and never discuss price and terms.