10 Steps to Preparing your Home for Sale

Would you like to make as much money as possible on the sale of your home? Sellers are getting top dollar when they put some skin in the game and prepare their home for the market. 

These are important first steps:

#1. Put away your emotions and put on your business hat. You are now selling a product and someone else’s dream.

#2. Curb Appeal: Get your landscaping dialed in. Weeded, planted, mulched (no red bark please) and beautiful. Be honest-how does your front door look? (See #3)

#3 Paint: Out with the strong statement colors and in with the neutrals. [Check out this blog post for in-tell on paint]

#4 Lighting: Remove fabric window coverings, valances and anything that blocks out the light. Illuminate the room with table lamps and floor lamps or better yet, a current light fixture.

#5 Reinvent rooms. Create an office in a small nook area, or a craft room in a dingy area of the basement. (See #10)

#6 Pack away belongings and de-clutter. Do not leave any closet untouched. Get a storage pod and pack pack pack. Or better yet, move out altogether. 

#7 Clean. Professionally is always my vote. Cleaners see so much more than homeowners. They know the drill. Do not forget windows-inside and out.

#8 Repair as much as possible. Make a list in order of importance. Buyers want a home that has been well cared for and loved. 

#9 Interview Real Estate Agents and listen to them. They are in the business of helping homeowners get top dollar and most should know how to do that.

#10 Hire a reputable staging company. Check out their current work and reviews from clients. Start with Houzz.  It cost money to stage so make certain you have connected with the right staging company.

City Garden

I am pulling you out of the warehouse and away from our staged homes to take a walk through my garden.  Bring your cup of Jo and follow me...it is so small-it will only takes a minute!

Ever wonder why the fragrance of some flowers seems stronger at night? ** My lilies are now just opening and are incredibly fragrant. We like to bundle up late in the evening to take in the intoxicating scent. This small garden is full of surprises that add to its wonder. The containers of succulents were inspired by the Farm and Frills Junker Market where we found unusual vessels to plant in.  My pear tree yield's only 2-3 pears. I watch their progress daily as if they were my children. I can tell you which plants were shared with me from my Mother's garden, which plants came from friends and which were acquired at the coveted annual NW Flower and Garden Show. I constantly analyze the progress of this small space making mental notes of things I want to change, divide, dig out and remove forever. That's what gardening is all about. 

TIPS:

*When cutting lilies in your garden choose those with buds that are about to open.

*The orange pollen of lilies stain so snip off the stamens in the flower center. (I do this on those I cut to bring inside and any that are near a path or walkway).

FUN FACT

** The fragrance of flowers is enhanced at night in order to attract nocturnal pollinators such as moths and bats. Sometimes when watering in the morning, a flurry of moths will spring from the flowers.

 Okay, now get back to work and thank you for taking a moment to visit!

Yes! The Market is Hot but you still need to go the distance

We hear it all the time. "The market is so hot that my house will sell itself". My sister and I are in hundreds of homes consulting and staging. We are blown away when we get resistance to painting out the red dining room that was hot in the 90's, the sponge painting of the bedrooms, the wallpaper border that trails around the room. Yes, it was great back in the day but it will not do the job of appealing to a larger group of potential buyers. I know you only need 1 buyer but appeal to many so that you can help drive up the price of your home.

If you want to make the most money selling possibly the largest asset you have then follow the exercise below:

 1. Grab you're smart phone or camera and head to the front of of house. 

2. Take photos of the front yard, side yard and back yard.

3. Head inside your home and do the same for each room.

4. Review each photo and make a list of what your potential buyers will see and where you need to make changes. Voila! the beginning of your "to-do" list.

Your goal is to make it look like your home has been well maintained and loved.

The next steps are equally important:

1. LET GO OF YOUR HOME. IT NOW NEEDS TO TURN INTO A PRODUCT TO BE MERCHANDISED AND MARKETED. (that is if you want top dollar)

2. LISTEN TO THE ADVICE AND EXPERIENCE OF YOUR AGENT. (they are well trained, well connected and have their finger on the market)

3. MAKE A LIST OF RECOMMENDED REPAIRS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE AND START THE WORK. (refer to that well connected agent of yours for help with professionals) 

This sells:

This does not: