HOW TO SELL FSBO: Preparing Your House to be on the Market

Outside:

• Buyers will probably drive by your home before they call you to schedule a formal showing.  Make sure that what they can see from the street is attractive and makes them want to see more.  Don’t underestimate curb appeal!  If your yard or home exterior seems outdated or run down, people will assume the entire house is that way. 
• Mow and edge the lawn and freshly mulch the garden beds.
• Plant a few colorful, seasonal flowers around the mailbox or front walkway. 
• Clean out the gutters and repair any loose parts.  Buyers will begin to question other maintenance issues if they notice leaves in the gutters and evidence of disrepair.
• Clean up the outside toys and lawn equipment.  Everything should have a neat place in a shed, garage, or basement.
• Paint, clean, or stain the front door and make sure it opens and closes easily.  Put out a nice welcome mat and a few pots of flowers.
• Make sure your entry light and doorbell work.
• Repair loose shingles, roof flashing, or shutters.
• Wash windows and skylights.
• Touch up the paint on fences, trim, and mailboxes.
• If you have a porch or other outdoor living space, sweep it and add some attractive plants and a few chairs with accent pillows.  Give the impression that it is easy to relax with friends on the deck or sit on the front porch and chat with the neighbors.

Inside Preparations:

• Once again, the first impression your home makes will stick with the potential buyer.  Pay careful attention to the entrance to your home.  Polish door hardware, shine mirrors and glass, and add some fresh flowers.
• Offensive odors are the first thing a buyer will notice.  Eliminate any odors from smoke or pets.
• Thoroughly clean the entire house, top to bottom.  You don’t want messes and dirt to distract buyers from the attractive qualities of your home.
• Clean the carpets.  Don’t replace the carpet unless it is unusually stained or odorous – buyers usually like to select their own carpet.  If you have old carpet, consider that a potential buyer will probably be factoring in the cost of new carpet to their offered price.
• Clean the oven and all appliances.
• Consider storing small kitchen appliances behind cabinet doors.  Try to empty the kitchen counters as much as possible – your kitchen will look larger and more organized.  Add an attractive bowl of fruit or fresh flowers.
• Remove all photographs and small items from tabletops.
• Clean smudges around light switches and doorknobs and on the walls going up the stairs.
• Repair or clean bathroom caulking and grout.  Replace the shower curtain or liner if needed.
• Repair any leaky faucets or running toilets.
• Eliminate clutter!  If you don’t think you’re going to want to pack and move it, get rid of it now.  Make boxes to drop off at charities or have the garage sale you’ve been saving stuff in the basement for.  To store lots of clutter, toys, or large furniture pieces, you could rent a storage unit.
• Consider using the online Yahoo group Freecycle to find people who want the stuff you need to get rid of.  In many cases, you can connect with someone who will pick up your items the same day you post them.  You’d be amazed what things people will come pick up!  It’s a great way to keep your discarded items out of the landfill and make someone’s day at the same time.
• Pay special attention to closets, cabinets, and storage areas.  If these areas looked crammed full, people might assume there isn’t enough storage in the house.  If these areas are messy or dirty, they’ll assume that other areas are messy or dirty too.  Clean out any clutter or junk and use neatly stacked and labeled plastic tubs, baskets, or boxes to store the rest.  You’ll thank yourself later when it’s packing time.
• The truth is, you’re selling an imaginary lifestyle along with your home.  Everyone wants a home that is organized, low-maintenance, and relaxing.  Look critically at each part of your house to make sure that is the impression you are giving.
• Selling a home by owner may seem like a big job, but remember, much of the effort of selling a house is in the preparation of your home for market and keeping it clean and tidy during the time it is being shown.  Even if you listed with a real estate agent, you would still have to do this work.  Don’t forget, you’ll have to clean and organize in order to pack and move anyway.  Get some of this work done now, and you’ll have less to do at packing time!