Tips For Preparing Your Home For Fall Showings

Tips for preparing your home for fall showings.

Curb appeal is important year-round. Because first impressions are irreversible, make sure your home is inviting. Think as if you were going on a blind date!

During the autumn months, rake leaves, pull weeds, prune shrubs and trees.

Apply new bark mulch and plant fall annuals.

As always, mow your lawn and clean out any debris clogging your gutters.

• Paint the front door and hang a festive wreath.
• Remove all cob webs and wash the house exterior. Paint the exterior if it needs it.

If it snows, be sure to clear a path to the house.

Everything inside should sparkle. A good first impression is just as necessary on the other side of the front door.

• Clean the drapes and blinds and make sure your windows are sparkling clean.
• If walls are looking worn, a fresh coat of paint will make everything look fresh.
• Clean appliances. Replace discolored drip pans and burner rings on stove.
• Dust ceiling fans, especially the blades.
• Consider the smell of the house. Remove sweaty clothes from closets, clean litter boxes daily, remove grease from kitchen. Candles and potpourri can help, but they won’t mask cigarette and pet odors. You’ll need to clean or replace carpet and open windows daily to freshen the house.
• Clean or replace dirty switch plates and outlet covers.
• Re-caulk bathtubs and showers.
• Repair any dripping faucets and showerheads.
• Repair running toilets.

Create a warm environment. Your home should offer a warm, friendly experience, especially during the first showing.

• Keep the house cozy and well-lighted. Clean all light fixtures and replace light bulbs with higher wattages.
• Create a warm and welcoming environment with pumpkins and other fall embellishments.
• Turn on soft music.
• Fresh baked cookies are a nice touch.

Depersonalize. You don’t want people distracted by the fact that you live there. You want them to be able to see themselves living there. Help them do that by removing potential barriers.

• Leave your home during showings.
• Take down family photos, trinkets and other clutter.
• Remove posters from bedrooms.
• Neutralize your home. You may have loved living in a sea of pink, but a fresh coat of white paint will go a long way toward making a room feel neutral.

Highlight the architecture. Architectural details may be what sells your house.

• Remove excess furniture.
• Don’t hide a fireplace behind a couch.
• Don’t block a patio door with furniture or plants.

Make it easy to view your home. Buyers want to know everything about a home before they move forward.

• Secure your pets, so buyers can enter the house and yard safely.
• Unlock outside buildings, including shops.
• Store seasonal clothing and remove excess hangers from the closets.
• Clean and organize the garage.