Tips to Prepare Your House for Sale

The summer market is still going strong in West Michigan! And it’s a great time to sell your home.

You goal – and your Realtor’s goal – will be to get you the best sales price possible. Here are a few small projects you can do to make sure that happens.

Focus on the Exterior

Start with power washing. Wash your siding, sidewalks, decks and any other outdoor structures to make them look good as new.
Clean out your garage and de-clutter your yard.
A new front door, or a new coat of paint on your current door, will give your home a much-needed face lift.
Wash your windows – inside and out – so people can appreciate the view.
Keep the lawn mowed and spruce up your landscape. There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars and completely redo the space, but pulling weeds and trimming trees can go a long way. If your local greenhouse is open, purchase a hanging basket or two to add color to your front porch.
Don’t forget the little things. Make sure all of your exterior lights are in working order, make sure your house number is visible and purchase a new welcome mat to impress potential buyers.

Make Sure the Interior Feels like “Home”

Organize and de-clutter so buyers see how much space is available inside your home.
Make sure every inch of your home is clean so buyers have an easier time imaging their new life in your existing space.
If the budget allows, fresh paint and new carpet can help your home sell faster and for more money.
Decorate – or remove decorations – so every room has a clear purpose that will appear to a majority of buyers.
Make sure you fix anything that’s broken. Buyers will use imperfections as an excuse to write you a lower offer.
Before your scheduled open house, make sure the trash is taken out, kitchen counters are clear, all lights are working and dirty laundry is hidden.

The little things can go a long way!

If you’re working with a Realtor, don’t hesitate to lean on them for advice. They will help you identify the must-fix items before buyers step foot in the door.

We wish you luck selling your home!