1. Declutter

It is easy to accumulate a lot of stuff over the years. Long term homeowners find themselves storing these items in every nook and corner in their home. Overtime these items become invisible to the homeowner, but visible to the potential home buyer. It is in the seller’s best interest to remove items that clutter the home.

2. Depersonalize

While decluttering your home, find a safe place to store personal items such as photos, portraits, trophies, excessive clothing, etc. It is important for the potential buyer to be able to visualize themselves living in the home. It is difficult for the potential buyer to engage in this process when a home is filling with personal items from the seller.

3. Clean

Make sure the property is clean. No potential buyer wants to walk into or invest in an unkept home. Ask the buying agent to give at least 24 hour notice before showing the property tol give the seller time to tidy up.  After cleaning, make sure the property has an inviting smell. Some homeowners burn candles, use wall plug-ins, or bake cookies.

4. Stage

Staging the home is important because it gives each space in the home an identity for possible use. It helps the future buyer see the possibilities.