Video: Preparing to Sell Your Home In Charleston, SC

Preparing Your Home For Sale
With so many sellers clamoring for the handful of buyers looking in today’s market, it has never been more important to make a good first impression.

Your one chance to make a good first impression: The front door meets the prospective buyer. Make sure that it is fresh and clean. You might consider adding new hardware. It is the first thing they will touch, so the quality should really shine.

The best investment for your home sale starts with a simple can of paint: Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce the appeal of your home. Why make it difficult for agents by making them tell the buyer how your home “could look” when you can show him by preparing in advance.

Have a garage sale before the home is listed: Get rid of clutter to allow the buyer to really see your home. Pack away everything you can and clean out items you won't need in your next home. Homebuyers will expect you to be preparing to move, so a few packing boxes here and there can be used to your advantage. They could be a good visual stimulant to someone who is "on the fence;" they show that you are moving and are serious about finding a buyer.

Let the sun shine in!: Dark rooms are very drab. Open the the draperies and blinds and let the buyer see how cheerful and inviting your home is. Make sure to wash the interior and exterior windows while you are at it.

Stimulate buyers' imaginations: Set the dinner table with your best china. Use the coziness and romance of the fireplace to advantage. Put a pair of wine glasses and a vase of flowers on the coffee table in front of the fire. Your goal is to set a scene that will encourage buyers to imagine themselves living in your home.

Be ruthless about odors: If there is a smell, your house won't sell. Use cleansers of all kinds to make the home smell fresh, from carpet freshener to potpourri. Deodorize cat litter and scoop litter daily. Put cedar chips inside the closets. However, be careful when using room sprays as they can irritate allergies. You can also use the sense of smell to your advantage by having fresh-baked cookies on the kitchen table, creating a welcoming sensual environment for your potential buyers. 

Create a spacious feeling: Make sure that all doors, cabinets and drawers open all the way without bumping into anything or sticking. Clean out the entry closet and put only a few hangers in it, so that the buyer can visualize winter coats. Move oversized furniture to a storage facility. Make sure entrances to all rooms have an open flow.

Make the most of views: Disguise unsightly views. Put a screen or a basket of flowers in front of a fireplace if it isn’t in use. Let breezes move your sheer curtains at the window. Make sure the interior is visible from the street. All windows must be crystal clean and clear.

Create counter space:  Store away extra appliances. Put away dish racks, soap dishes and other clutter. Decrease kitchen clutter further by removing magnets from the refrigerator.

Avoid eccentric decor: De-personalize your teenager's room, the game room or other areas by removing wild posters or any decorative item that could be construed as offensive. Remove decorations which might not appeal to the masses, from hanging beads in doorways to jars where your children store their spider collections.

Maximize  your home’s curb appeal: Feed, mow and water your lawn regularly. Plant colorful annual flowers near the door, and make sure you weed and trim the rest of your garden. Wash the windows and pick up any trash.

Clutter is worse than dirt: Selling your home means means you have to move. Moving means you have to pack. Decluttering accomplishes more than just making your home feel more spacious, it gets you well on your way to your next destination.

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