47 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Sell Faster

Suggestions and ideas to improve your home's appearance and help you prepare to sell it faster!

  • 1. Open the draperies, pull up the shades and let in the sunlight
  • 2. Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night and install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly
  • 3. Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge them
  • 4. If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating
  • 5. Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times
  • 6. Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well
  • 7. Have a family "game plan" to get the home in order quickly if necessary
  • 8. Air out your home for one-half hour before showings, if possible
  • 9. Lightly spray the house with unscented or lightly scented air freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives
  • 10. Put family photos in storage
  • 11. Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture
  • 12. Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture
  • 13. Putty over and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the walls
  • 14. Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger
  • 15. Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper
  • 16. Clean or replace all light bulbs and light fixtures to brighten the home
  • 17. Wash all windows inside and out
  • 18. Use plants in transitional areas of your house
  • 19. Make the most of your attic's potential
  • 20. Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires
  • 21. Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, etc
  • 22. Remove all smoke and pet odors
  • 23. Repair or replace banisters and handrails

    In the Kitchen:

  • 24. Microwave a small dish of vanilla twenty minutes before a showing and place it in an out-of-the-way place
  • 25. Highlight an eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner
  • 26. The kitchen and bathrooms should always be spotlessly clean
  • 27. Expand your counter space by removing small appliances

    In the Bedrooms:

  • 28. Create a master suite effect in your decorating
  • 29. Depersonalize bedrooms and decorate in a neutral scheme
  • 30. Make sure that the beds are made and the linens are clean
  • 31. Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage

    In the Bathrooms:

  • 32. Do not leave towels around and wipe down the sinks and shower areas after each use
  • 33. Re-caulk the tub if the caulk is not sparkling white
  • 34. Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub
  • 35. Replace shower curtains and liners and keep them clean
  • 36. Put out fresh or new towels and decorative soaps

    Outside:

  • 37. Keep the yard mowed, raked and weeded at all times
  • 38. Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway and patio
  • 39. Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture and trash from the yard
  • 40. Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept and in good condition
  • 41. Paint all entrance doors
  • 42. Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint the garage door if necessary
  • 43. Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoors and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail box, address numbers, etc)
  • 44. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned
  • 45. Use a new doormat
  • 46. Be sure the front doorbell is in good working order
  • 47. Be sure the front door and screen door work perfectly It's amazing how many little things can add up to more money in your pocket!