First Impressions: 13 Tips For Getting the Inside of Your Home Ready for the Market

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Taking care of these items before you put a sign in your front yard will save you time and money in the long run.

1.       Start with lighting, replace any burned out or missing bulbs.

2.       Declutter – Put a cardboard box in the middle of your kitchen and go through all the cupboards. If you haven’t used it in the last 4-6 months, put it in the box. Label the box and store it out of the way.

3.       Make sure that table tops, dressers and closets are free of clutter.

4.       Wipe down your kitchen cabinets, fridge, range and microwave.

5.       Repair any wall dents or scratches. Paint walls as needed.

6.       Remove any hard water spots in the kitchen and bathrooms.

7.       Repair or replace any leaky faucets or showerheads. A call to a plumber is a wise investment.

8.       Review your furniture situation – remove any excess or very large furniture.

9.       You want your home to appear as large and specious as possible – avoid using your garage, attic and basement to store extra things. This may require getting a small storage unit for a short period of time.

10.   Replace or clean any worn out carpets.

11.   Repair or replace and cracked or pealing caulk.

12.   Store RV’s or old vehicles elsewhere while the home is on the market.

13.   Replace all the batteries in your smoke detectors and replace your furnace filter.