Preparing Your House for Sale

Showing your home in its best condition will help marketing and selling a much easier process. Follow these tips to make the most out of specific areas in your home to make it ready to show. We will provide a series of posts, each focusing on different areas and rooms for the best results. Today we are taking a look at the outside of the home and what you can do to make it shine and scream "curb appeal!"

Exterior

• Remove any peeling or chipped paint; replace with a touch-up or fresh coat
• Fix all loose trim and fencing
• Clear gutters and downspouts
• Ensure there is good exterior lighting and all walkway and porch lights are working
• Clean and make repairs to the roof, if needed
• Clear garage of clutter and tidy shelves
• Remove snow accumulation on access sidewalks and driveway
• Place sand or gravel on any icy spots
• Carefully remove any icicles that could be a potential danger

Yard

• Mow and trim grass; re-seed and fertilize where necessary
• Prune any overgrown trees or shrubs
• Weed flower beds. Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs, or trees
• Clean grease and oil stains from driveway

Decks/Patios

• Paint or stain worn areas in wood decks
• Remove grass growing from cracks in concrete; sweep any debris from shrubs or trees
• Clean all deck rails and make sure they are secure; replace missing slats or posts
• Clean outdoor furniture

Front Door

• Polish or replace hardware on the door so it shines
• Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of knicks
• Clean the glass on the storm door; make sure the screen is secure
• Make sure the doorbell operates
• Make sure there are no squeaks when the door opens or closes

Extras

• Plant flowers to brighten a walkway or enrich the entry
• Remove all "fixer" cars, campers and boats from the property
• At night, turn on the porch light and outdoor lighting. Buyers often drive by homes they are considering at various times of day

Do you have any great suggestions for preparing the exterior of the home for sale that we may have missed? Great buys, DIYs...we would love to know!