Guide to Prep
Marketing is the art of controlling perception to cause an increase in value for the buyer. Our methods will highlight every feature but buyers are going to visit in person. Following this guide can help back up our marketing and increase the value of your home.
clean & replace as needed
- light switch covers
- fireplace
- lightbulbs
- front door
- carpets
- blinds
- doors & door knobs
- touch up interior/exterior paint
- HVAC Vents
dust it all
- walls/ceilings
- blinds
- baseboards
- windows
- cold air return
- ceiling fans
- bathroom vent fans
make it inviting
- rearrange/minimize furniture to maximize visual floor space
- pack up knick-knacks & figurines
- prune houseplants
- reduce books on bookshelves with a focus on space & decoration
- reduce personal family photos & artwork
- add lamps to increase light
- ask for an impartial "smell test"
- resolve odors with deep cleans & essential oil diffusers, avoid scented candles, sprays & plug in air fresheners
common spaces
living & family rooms
- keep tables clear
- minimize furniture
- toys out of sight
- add throw pillows to soften
dining room
- keep dining table clear except one centerpiece
- remove extra chairs
- remove table leaves
- max 4-6 chairs around table
kitchen
- clear as many items as you possibly can from countertops
- clean tile grout from backsplash
- clean stove, oven & microwave
- pull magnets & messages from the fridge
- keep mops & brooms put away
- empty the garbage before each showing
- remove pet food & water dishes before each showing
- minimize & organize pantry items to make it look larger
- box up any dishes & cooking supplies you dont absolutely need
- scrub & polish the kitchen sink
laundry
- keep soap & supplies out of view
- nothing on top of washing machines
- maximize wattage of bulbs to brighten
- zero clothing, clean or dirty
personal spaces
bedrooms
- make beds daily
- clear off dressers, bedside table, any flat surface
- keep personal items (especially valuables & medications) in a drawer
- limit closets to 7 days of clothing if possible to make them look larger
- keep closet doors closed for showings
bathrooms
- clear & clean flat surfaces
- display a single bottle of hand soap
- add a brand new hand towel
- fold towels into thirds on towel racks
- remove anything not needed daily from showers/tubs
- clean or replace shower curtain (especially plastic curtain liner)
- clean mold areas (try this from Amazon, it is awesome)
- remove cloth toilet seat covers and keep lids closed
offices
- remove any clutter from flat surfaces, computer & keyboard only
- clean up "rat's nests" of random cables & chargers
- turn off computer before every showing
- put away mail or personal documents
other spaces
exterior
- clean/ repaint the front door, it's the first thing buyer's touch
- sweep sidewalks & porches
- pressure wash concrete (and the house if dingy)
- re-stain the deck if needed
- wash windows inside & out
- minimize outdoor furniture & arrange to show use of space
yard
- prune bushes & plants to look healthy & not in contact with home
- trim back anything blocking a window
- weed all planting areas
- apply a fresh coat of mulch to increase conrast
- keep the lawn freshly mowed, edged & fertilized
- remove any dead plants/ trees
- add a few fresh flowers with a spot of color
garage
- clean & sweep the garage
- organize storage
- pack anything you can live without
NOTE: buyer's are historically understanding of garage spaces, giving up one car of space with packed boxes stacked in an orderly fashion does not bother typical buyers, but the key is orderly