Once you have your home on the market, there are a number of things you need to do to ensure the home shows well so it sells fast. First, if possible, do not be home when agents show your home. This allows the prospective buyer to look around at leisure and ask questions without pressure. If you are home. For example, in the middle of cooking dinner, stay out of the way and do not volunteer any information unless directly asked a question. Otherwise, let the agent do the talking.
When you know someone is coming, ensure that appropriate lighting is on. At night, this would include front and backyard lights. This provides a cozy feeling and makes your home more inviting. Try to avoid scented sprays such as room fresheners or carpet deodorizers. Even if you use these products on a normal basis, to the buyer, it might appear as though you are trying to mask some other type of odor. If you do want to have a nice fresh fragrance, consider fresh cut flowers, potpourri, or a soft-scented candle.
A great home remedy is to mix one tablespoon of each – nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and pumpkin spice. Pour all into a small saucepan filled with one cup of water, blend well, and simmer. Another option is to place a couple drops of vanilla extract directly onto the stove burner and heat quickly. The aroma is wonderful. Either option will give your home the fragrance of a nice home-cooked meal. Just do not use anything too overpowering since you do not know if the potential buyers have allergies or not.
Make sure the trashcans in all rooms are kept emptied, especially the kitchen trash where food items are thrown, and bathroom trashcans that might contain personal items. When people look at your home, you want to leave a positive impression. Seeing overflowing trash is not the way to go about it. Your home doesn’t have to look like it just came off the cover of Better Homes and Gardens, but you should do your best to have it clean and tidy. Make sure there are no papers scattered about, the sink is empty of dirty dishes, toys are picked up and put away, and things are dusted and vacuumed.
If you notice rooms or areas that need paint touch-up or complete repainting, this is the time to do it. Make sure there is no torn wallpaper, gouges in the wall, etc. These types of things should all be fixed prior to your home going on the market. Set a bowl of colorful, fresh fruit out on the kitchen table. Perhaps a soft throw blanket over the back of a recliner, magazines neatly fanned on the coffee table, or a couple candles glowing in the bathroom. These things make your home more homey and inviting. Just take a quick look around each room and see if there are things you can do to add a nice, finished touch. If you need more ideas, look through some home decorating magazines for quick ideas.
If your home is being shown in the summer, make sure your home is cool on the inside just as you would keep it warm in the winter. You want to do everything possible to make your home feel like a home, which is what appeals to potential buyers and leaves a lasting memory. Make sure you do not forget the garage. Keep your tools and storage items neatly arranged. If there are oil stains on the garage floor, use some sand and newspaper to wipe it up. This is just another room of the house and it should get the same level of attention.