3 Things to do Before Listing Your Home for Sale

The market in Seattle has picked up again and with a little under two months of available inventory, now is a great time to get your home on the market. Getting your home ready to show can be as easy as setting aside a few weekends ahead of going on the market. Follow these tips to save you time and earn you money!

STEP ONE | CLEAN AND DECLUTTER

Most people are well aware of the fact that homes show best when they are tidy and organized but it can not be overstated enough. Spending extra time removing clutter or unnecessary items can make the world of a difference.

• Eliminate Clutter Before Cleaning.

Purge your home of anything that is not necessary to be on display and any miscellaneous items laying around. Donate items to charity or consider giving them away through neighborhood share groups! Check with local recyclers for large metal items as they will often remove them for free.

• Deep Clean Your Home.

This is certainly going to be a labor of love — enlist the help of family or friends if you can! Give particular attention to kitchens, bathrooms, and especially windows. If you're able, try to clean both the interior and exterior of windows — especially those with Western exposure or great views.

• Organize Closets, Cabinets, and Drawers.

Out of sight is unfortunately not out of mind. Many buyers will open cabinets and closets to get a feel for available storage space. Clean these areas to show that you have taken good care of the home and to show off every extra inch of space! A cluttered or messy closet will appear smaller.

STEP TWO | MAKE SMALL REPAIRS

Now is the time to knock those small, pesky items off your to do list. Typically, many of these repairs can be done yourself and won't require too much time or effort.

• Replace burned-out light bulbs

• Fix any leaking faucets and running toilets

• Replace caulking around tubs, showers and sinks as needed

• Repair walls and repaint them in neutral colors if need be

• Fix cracked or broken windows

• Replace or repair damaged window screens

STEP THREE | CURB APPEAL CURB APPEAL CURB APPEAL

Curb appeal makes all the difference in selling your home. It is the buyer's first impression and will be at the forefront of their mind when comparing properties. The goal is to present a home that makes people excited to step inside of.

• Trim bushes, shrubs and trees (cut any vegetation touching your roof or siding)

• If applicable to your yard, apply new mulch, rock or gravel

• Clean and repair concrete areas eliminating any stains and removing any weeds

• If in season, place some pots with annuals for added color

• Freshen up the entryway with a new door mat

• Repair broken downspouts and gutters

Some of these small changes can make the world of a difference and will help with both showings and the photos your agent has taken of your home.