One of the challenges of selling your home is trying to keep it in “show-ready” condition at all times while also trying to live in your home! This challenge can be multiplied if you have children or pets or both, but we have put together a list of tips to help you live in your home while you are trying to sell. If you follow these simple tips, it will make the home selling process much less stressful for you and it may even help your home sell faster!
15 Tips to Help You Live In Your Home While You Are Trying to Sell
- Be sure to make the beds every single day.
- Clean up the kitchen…no dirty dishes in the sink and make sure the counters are free of clutter and food.
- Open up all of your window blinds, shutters or curtains and let in all of that gorgeous natural light.
- Do NOT smoke inside the home and do NOT allow anyone else to smoke in your home.
- Pick up toys and clean up the yard after your pets.
- Keep your closets and cabinets clean/organized. Buyers often look inside closets and cabinets to check on the amount of storage space.
- Make sure the inside temperature is at a comfortable setting that is appropriate for the season so buyers are not too hot or too cold.
- Try to avoid cooking foods that will create an overwhelming odor inside the home, some smells linger longer than others and can be a distraction for potential buyers.
- Clean out your refrigerator and pantry…they will likely open up the fridge and pantry too!
- Empty your trash cans on a daily basis.
- Make sure your floors are freshly vacuumed on a regular basis and that your floors are swept.
- First impressions matter, so a neat and tidy yard is important, fresh flowers always add a nice touch both inside and out!
- If you are able to turn on the lights prior to showings, then the extra lighting is always a welcome sight to buyers and it will make your home shine.
- Pack away any valuables and keep those special treasures out of sight.
- We urge all of our sellers to leave the home during showings and remove their pets if at all possible. This will allow buyers and their Realtors time to experience the home without feeling hindered. It is very important to make showings as comfortable as possible for prospective buyers so they are able to imagine themselves living there!
Most importantly…relax and try to be patient. Selling your home can be stressful, but we are here to help make it as easy and painless as possible. We will guide you through the process from start to finish and help you identify any particular areas that need attention prior to listing. Our goal is to help you sell your home for top dollar, but more importantly to help you accomplish your goals!
If you have specific questions about selling your home or would like our advice on what you might need to do prior to listing, then please do not hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to sit down and discuss listing your home for sale as well as take a tour of your property to make suggestions on how to get your home ready to hit the market.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon!
