{"id":1353,"date":"2015-09-18T17:37:25","date_gmt":"2015-09-18T21:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beingbobblog.com\/?p=1353"},"modified":"2015-09-26T10:42:07","modified_gmt":"2015-09-26T14:42:07","slug":"5-steps-to-prepare-your-home-to-sell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/5-steps-to-prepare-your-home-to-sell\/","title":{"rendered":"5 steps to prepare your home to sell"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"article-body\">\n<figure class=\"figure lead-figure full\"><figcaption class=\"figcaption\">\n<p class=\"credit\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beingbobblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/242740791.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-816\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beingbobblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/242740791-198x300.jpg?resize=198%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"24274079\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beingbobblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/242740791.jpg?resize=198%2C300&amp;ssl=1 198w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beingbobblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/242740791.jpg?w=529&amp;ssl=1 529w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"credit\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">You\u2019ve heard all of these supposed realities of selling. .\u00c2\u00a0.\u00c2\u00a0. Don\u2019t sell during the holidays. \u00c2\u00a0Wait until the flowers are blooming.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"article-text\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Don\u2019t list an empty house. \u00c2\u00a0Well, we sold our first home without furnishings. We sold our second home before Christmas and our third during mud season.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"bg-related bg-related--wide\">\n<div class=\"bg-related__body\">\n<div class=\"bg-related__text\">\n<h4 class=\"bg-related__heading\"><\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"bg-related__heading\"><\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"bg-related__heading\"><\/h4>\n<h4 class=\"bg-related__heading\">Advantages of inspecting before you list<\/h4>\n<p class=\"bg-related__description\">When a seller gets a presale home inspection, he or she has the option of addressing the issues or adjusting the price before listing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Remember, it takes just one buyer who is ready \u00e2\u20ac\u201d regardless of whether the market is flush, interest rates are up or down, or the economy and weather are good or bad.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And while there is no magic formula to achieve a sale, there are things you can do to better your chances.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Here are five steps to help you present your home in the best possible light and bring in the highest possible price for the reality of the current market.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Reality for the current market, that\u2019s the mantra to embrace.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b class=\"b\">Step 1: Decisions, decisions, decisions<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Figure out what moves with you and what gets stored, sold, or discarded.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Use sticker dots to mark items:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0red: stays<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0green: goes to storage, is donated, or sold<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0blue: trash<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0yellow: no verdict (revisit this after you finalize those red and green dots)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b class=\"b\">Step 2: Prepack and declutter<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Consider putting certain items into storage. Rent space and\/or put things in opaque bins that are out of the way.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Declutter all rooms (yes, the basement, garage, and attic, too). Don\u2019t do this in dribs and drabs. <i class=\"i\">Do it once. <\/i>And don\u2019t start going through that photo album you found under the couch. Before you know it, the day will be gone! Remember, you\u2019re on a mission. If you can\u2019t think of where an item will live, consider why you want to carry it to your next home.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i class=\"i\">Decluttering help<\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Call a charitable\u00c2\u00a0organization that will pick up things for donation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Donate books to libraries, colleges, and schools.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Use trash-removal services like GotJunk to take away items without value \u00e2\u20ac\u201d inside and outside.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b class=\"b\">Step 3: Fixes that resonate with buyers<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Refinish or replace hardwood floors. If you don\u2019t, prepare to negotiate the cost to do so. Take up or replace worn carpeting.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Repair grout and caulking.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Paint tired rooms, walls, and ceilings.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Remove dated wallpaper.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Utilize new tiles to cover worn wood flooring. Create an apron of tile in front of a sink, doorway, or tub.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Refresh a kitchen with a new back splash treatment. Try a complimentary paint color or one row of new tile to keep costs down.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Replace dated task lighting over a kitchen island or in the dining area.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Paint or re-face kitchen or bathroom cabinets.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Replace dated drawer pulls, knobs, and handles.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Block bad views and freshen a room with shutters.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Remove worn window treatments.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Purchase ready-made slipcovers for tired furnishings, and freshen rooms with new lampshades, bed covers, and accent pillows.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b class=\"b\">Step 4: Ramp up the curb appeal<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Annuals are an easy way to create pretty outdoor vignettes:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Circle a mailbox, border a sidewalk or fence, or plant a cluster of multicolored annuals next to the entryway, backyard bench, or patio.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Add planters.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Mulch flowerbeds.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Prune shrubs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Ready a vegetable garden for planting or plant to inspire. Add details like a birdhouse and\/or markers for what\u2019s been planted.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Make sure stone walls, gates, and walkways are in good repair.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Replace a tired mailbox<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b class=\"b\">Step 5: Open house, close deal<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Have the rooms of your home put together simply and thoughtfully. Present it hotel clean, odor free. Don\u2019t mask odors with sweet oils and candles. If need be, open the windows and air out the house.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Keep tabletops and bureau surfaces uncomplicated.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Lock up valuables.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Tidy closets, with hangers going in the same direction and your shoes lined up.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i class=\"i\">Consider professional cleaning for the following:<\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Rugs, upholstery, and curtains. The quickest way to do all of this is with a company that uses steam.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Windows<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><i class=\"i\">The day of the open house:<\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Set out cookies and a pot of coffee.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Put your pet\u2019s food bowls away. Got cats? Make sure the litter box is clean. Put kitty in a small bathroom with a gate so the room can still be seen. Have a dog? Make sure all of the dog messes have been picked up in the yard. Take the dog for a walk or a car ride.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"bullet_square\"><span class=\"web_specialcharacters\">\u00e2\u2013\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00c2\u00a0On a table, display a photo album of your yard when it\u2019s in full bloom. Map your garden with a layout in which you name all of the plants.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It\u2019s in your real estate agent\u2019s hands now. Go enjoy a much deserved latte.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong><a class=\"addthis_button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.addthis.com\/bookmark.php?v=250&amp;username=xa-4bc9c938643e7c7d\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s7.addthis.com\/static\/btn\/v2\/lg-share-en.gif?resize=125%2C16\" alt=\"Bookmark and Share\" width=\"125\" height=\"16\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve heard all of these supposed realities of selling. .\u00c2\u00a0.\u00c2\u00a0.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5,13,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-all-posts-comments","category-listings","category-real-estate"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","chromenews-featured":"","chromenews-large":"","chromenews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Being BOB","author_link":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/author\/admin\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/category\/all-posts-comments\/\" rel=\"category tag\">All Posts &amp; Comments<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/category\/real-estate\/listings\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Listings<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/category\/real-estate\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Real Estate<\/a>","tag_info":"Real Estate","comment_count":"0","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p822aG-lP","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1353\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beingbobblog.com\/happy-holidays\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}