There is nothing worse than going to an open house or on tour to find dirty dishes, unflushed toilets, or unsightly laundry in a house that is "FOR SALE". This has happened to me many times and it never ceases to amaze me. In the spirit of spring cleaning, here is the short list of things sellers should do before having ANYONE walk through their home.
1. Remove unsightly clutter off tables and counter-tops
2. Vacuum carpet area and sweep linoleum, hardwood and tiled floors.
3. Flush all toilets and make sure there is toilet paper, soap and hand towel available (just in case) a client, buyer or Realtor needs to use your bathroom.
4. Empty garbage cans- use Febreeze or Lysol when needed. (Buyers have a hard time overcoming odors)
5. Clean kitchen...this is a big one for me. Make sure dirty dishes are done and counter-tops are clean.
6. Make sure your DIRTY laundry is in a hamper or otherwise OUT OF SIGHT.
7. Make your beds- (open bedroom windows slightly, weather permitting)
8. Wipe down mirrors and sinks & dust tv's, living areas and computer equipment.
9. Make sure hallways and rooms are clear of obstructions.
10. If at all possible, remove your pet(s) from home during the showing.
Before you leave, do the SIGHT & SMELL TEST. Make sure that your home appeals to a buyer on both levels.
The outside of your home is often overlooked and can be as important as the inside.
1. Make sure pathways are free of obstructions, well-lit and and inviting to buyers.
2. Sweep porches off.
3. Roll up hoses.
4. Rake up leaves & debris.
5. Move shovels, rakes, bicycles, kids toys, etc. to garage.
6. Pick up DOG POO and keep grass mowed.
7. Make repairs to fences & gates to ensure they are in working order.
8. Clean up garage, storage and shop areas (if you have them).
9. Address septic, well, sprinkler and irrigation issues.
10. Walk your property as your buyers might do. Try and view your property through their eyes.
COMMON COMPLAINTS FROM BUYERS-
- Pets in home
- Broken, cracked and yes, even dirty windows
- Torn or missing screens
- Foul Odors
- Clutter inside home (can raise concern over storage space)
- Overgrown weeds, poor landscape
- Colored paint and wall paper
- Unfinished repairs or remodeling
- No curb appeal
COMMON SOLUTIONS FOR SELLERS-
- Clean and organize belongings
- Rent temporary storage unit if necessary
- Replace broken or cracked windows
- Replace or repair window screens
- Fresh paint whenever feasible
- Finish all "projects" inside and out
- Rake, weed and landscape yard
- Remove pets for showings
- Enlist help of professionals when necessary
Remember, you never have a second chance to make a first impression. In your absence, your home will be the first thing your buyer sees. In this market where we have so much inventory, a seller needs to do everything they can to make their property the one that gets the offer.
Good Luck ! ! !
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Good basic reminder. One particularly troubling odor I previously had in a listing was "moth balls". The owners couldn't smell it, but it permeated the home. Fortunately, my sellers so far have for the most part been fastidious.
I have often wondered why sellers of vacant homes don't think to leave tissue paper and paper towels--Sometimes if you're touring a list of homes...
Hi Suzi-
It surprises me too as to how many times these "basics" are overlooked. Thanks for your comment : )
may I add...put the toilet seat down? I think it looks SO much nicer when the litle things are attended to, your list is very important and a good reminder. On Suzi's comment I often ask my vacant homeowners if they object to me stocking the home with tp and paper towels...
Chris-
I knew I left something out. Thank you : )
I'd go further to say..."MUST DO'S BEFORE YOUR HOME IS PHOTOGRAPHED FOR MLS PICS!!!"
I'm sickened by the MLS photos with clutter on the kitchen counters, junk mail piled on the kitchen table, toys strewn all over the floor or piled in a corner, BEDS UNMADE...
Ugh, I'm feeling queasy as I type...excuse me please...
I have to admit--one of my most perplexing questions is--"Why do they remove the toilet paper? WHY?" Along with bug spray, I carry toilet paper and paper towels in my car now. (It gets a little intense if you're cramped for time and public facilities would mess up the schedule)
Also, I encourage my sellers to be "hosts" and to extend hospitality such as a note with "Relax. Have a cold drink from the frig. Enjoy your visit. I agree with Chris, I am more than willing to stock drinks in the frig along with tp and paper towels for the water closet. But, I think most owners will do so if they see things from the buyer agent perspective. I think it is a good reminder to sellers that often buyer agents are showing the same party muliple competing homes in a short time frame.
I agree. Pick up and empty out when possible. the less stuff the better.
Suzi-
Love the idea about the note to "Relax and have a cold drink from the fridge"- Nice touch : )
Frank-
I try and remind sellers that "Less is More", Really. Thanks for your comment : )
One thing that caught my eye...pick up the dog poo....can you believe some seller's don't see the purpose in doing so? Well, believe it....I not only had to pick it up.....I had to shovel it up first! Thanks for a great point....
Celeste-
Yuck! Guess it's better outside than in : ) See recommendation #10 above. Have a good weekend : )
Hi Kelli. Thanks for the great tips. This is a good topic to re-visit.
These particular seller's had giant dogs chained on the side of the house...not only was there dog PILES but red dirt prints all over the house! And 10 ft. California grass throughout the back yard......
Greg- You are welcome. Thanks for the comment : )
Celeste- Oh my ! Makes you wonder "What were they thinking?" Thanks for your comment : )
Kelli,
Great list! As a stager, may I add a few tips that I hope will be helpful?
Maureen-
Awesome tips! Thank you! This is becoming a very complete and invaluable list for sellers : )
Kelli,
As a stager, I think you have a very good basic list going, and I was looking for Maureen's additions as I read down. May I add that the most frequently under done bit of preparation is touchup paint? This sends powerful message that a home is well cared for. When it is not done, it becomes a move-in issue for the buyer. Areas to spotlight for touchups are:
When time is at a premium, I recommend focusing on the first three minutes for touchup...the entry, hallways and areas in the buyer's earliest experience of the home. Plus, what to do when there is no matching paint on the premises? (That is often why the touch-up isn't done). The best way to go is to re-paint rather than leave those holes!! Choose a 'sandy' neutral color accent rather than trying to match and have it miss the mark. What if the paint is white and no matching white is around? Sometimes a very very careful spackling job with Q-tips and a wet sponge can do the job!!!
Hi Paula-
More excellent advice! Thank you and thanks for stopping by : )
Thanks for taking the time to put together the perfect checklist Kelli!
Best,
Sean
Kelli, Thanks for the helpful tips. Much appreciated!
if only we could get our sellers to read and heed this one!! THANKS for the post!!
This is a subject that I have been thinking about for a little while now. I am going to take many of your tips and put it to a checklist for my sellers. Closets are a big issue too! Buyers will open them, so don't hide everything in there!
Great Post! Thanks for the tips!
Very good post! Thanks so much for the great tips!