Getting ready to show your home for the first time can be overwhelming. Where should you start? Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
-Remove toys, equipment, and clutter from the yard. Pro tip: Drive past your home and look at it through a buyer’s eyes.
– Focus on scent. Sometimes people go nose-blind to their home’s odors. Even “normal” odors can be a turnoff to buyers. Pet odors, cigarette smoke, certain foods, etc. The list goes on and on. Focus on ensuring your home smells clean and fresh BEFORE you schedule a walk-through.
– Repair/replace damaged shingles. The National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named a new roof as the greatest home remodeling value in 2015, and it’s still topping the charts. Even cosmetic roof and shingle updates can help.
-Repair/replace light fixtures, doorbell, and doorknobs. Outdoors, lights can be automated through an app or a home security system to save money on energy costs. Install a programmable thermostat indoors — many of which are also app-controlled. “Every degree that a thermostat is dropped can save 2 percent of energy use.”
-Fix broken windows, shutters, and torn screens. Go the extra mile and seal window frames and seams with solid caulking.
-Clean/repair gutters and HVAC units. Remove any cobwebs and nests that you find.
-Clean or paint the front door and mailbox. Only 8 percent of people prefer a bold exterior home color, according to results from a Better Homes and Gardens survey of 400 homeowners. A pop of color may be better used on your front door, to attract attention without going overboard.
-Power wash the exterior, especially around entrances. Take care to remove mildew, moss, and stains from the side of your house using bleach. For more stubborn stains on the driveway or walkway, try a concrete cleaner.
-Wash windows. Wash out your garbage can while you’re at it, and store it out of sight.
-Mow lawn, trim bushes and shrubs, weed garden, and add potted plants for color. Attractive landscaping can add 6 to 7 percent to the value of your home. But be warned: Many buyers may be turned off by high-maintenance landscaping that looks too complicated.
-Sweep or shovel walkway and driveway.
Once you’re rolling on these tasks, you’ll be well on your way, and rest assured, other to-do items will come to mind as you go!