Sell your home quicker for more money. Stage before you list!  Often, you can accomplish this with what you have.  MARGARET SHEA, REALTOR®, can help you give your home a marketing edge.  Here are some tips to get your home in tip-top shape for qualified buyers, ready, willing and able to buy! 

1.Improve your curb appeal

Often, the first impression a buyer has is from the street.  If your house lacks curb appeal, buyers may decide not to book an appointment.  Improve curb appeal by removing fallen limbs and twigs, raking leaves , eliminating weeds in flower beds, along walkways and the driveway.  Mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, removing overgrown bushes, cleaning the gutters and power-washing the exterior and decks can dramatically improve your home's exterior appearance.  If your home is stained or painted, repair and re-stain or paint as needed.  

2.Create a welcoming outdoor entry

Buyers approaching your front door are forming opinions.  Use this to your advantage. Create a wow factor so they'll be eager to see the inside.  Lay out an inviting welcome mat, repair or replace outdated lighting fixtures, make sure the front doorbell works and that the front door and storm doors are clean and in great condition.  Stage front porch space!

3.Clear out clutter, organize and clean

Look around your home's interior. What do you see? If you spot piles of paper, mail, toys, and books, clean them up. Less is more!  Buyers want to see enough furniture and decor only to get a sense of space and visualize their own things there.  Weed out excess clothing and shoes, clean and organize cupboards, shelves, pantry spaces.  Clean all floors, walls, baths and kitchen.  Empty, then hide the trash cans.  Make your home look spacious, like you love it, and it takes care of itself. Same goes for the assemble it yourself desk and massive old television. It may be time to donate or move that recliner, sofa, sectional and exercise equipment out.  Moving to a larger place?  Rent and fill that storage unit prior to listing your home.  Pack up paperbacks and controversial books.  Make your office or work area inviting. Tell a story with your furniture and decor.  A little mystery, a glimpse into a favorite hobby such as travel or gardening or an eclectic collection can evoke positive emotions in potential buyers.  Really old family photos (of ancestors or colorized baby pictures) can be quaint and nostalgic in small doses.  A bowl of citrus fruit can be inviting, as can a coffeemaker and even a bottle of sparkling cider or wine.  Set up a game table if you have space for it.  Clean light fixtures and replace any dead lightbulbs.  Make sure that windows and doors are unobstructed and clean to reveal their full potential.   

4.Plan ahead for your pets

You love your pets, so please make plans for where they'll be during showings. Best is out of sight and of ear-shot. Make sure their bowls and litter pans are clean or even better, absent.

5.Service, Repair and Replace

If you've put off repairs, act now, before your house goes on the market. Your home in good repair will encourage buyers to consider it seriously instead of wondering what else could be wrong.  Have the furnace or boiler serviced, and the central air system, if applicable.  Call in an electrician to repair broken fixtures or add grounded outlets where required. Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as required by state law.  If the bathroom fan isn't working, repair or replace. Replace any electric stove coils that don't work and clean the oven and refrigerator.  Leaky pipes or running toilets? Have them repaired or replaced by a licensed plumber.  Patch holes and dings in walls and paint properly.  If you painted around your furniture, move the furniture before you list and paint behind it or hire a painter to do it!  Wildlife and other creatures finding their way in?  Hire a licensed pest control expert to take care of the problem.  Save all receipts for work done for tax purposes and to provide to the buyer.  Your attorney will require receipts for any work done within 90 days of closing. 

6.Clean until it sparkles!

A clean home will really pay off.  If you must, hire a professional to clean the atrium window and the chandelier in the foyer.  You'd be surprised how many seller don't clean and how making your home sparkle will increase buyer interest and add value.  If you're replacing the chandelier because it's a family heirloom, do it before your home goes on the market.  A successful sale is about getting to yes on your terms, a win-win where you know you did better.  The fewer times you have to say no, the more likely the buyer is to agree with you! 

7.Shut off the TV and turn on the lights.

Television can be distracting, as can loud music, the smell of spicy food, overpowering air fresheners and cigarette or cigar smoke.  Shut off, mitigate, eliminate.  If it's daytime, open the blinds and turn on the lights before you leave.  If it's evening, be sure to leave lights on so that buyers and their agents can see their way in and out of your home. 

Staging is well worth your time, effort and expense as it will help you meet your goals by anticipating and fulfilling buyer expectations in advance.  Just do it. Don't mention it. Keep it under your hat.  The results will show in the photos, in the increased number of buyers who drive by and the agents booking appointments to show your home to their qualified buyers! 

8.Call MARGARET SHEA, REALTOR® AT 203.525.5837 to get started today!