Soak up the Sun!

The cold has subsided and the warm weather finally looks like it is going to stick around! I took a break this afternoon and strolled out the office backdoor to the dock. What a view we have at the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in Cheboygan!

Preparing your Home for Sale

You've made the decision to sell your home. Now what? It's time to get it ready for potential buyers. The goal is to present a clean, spacious, and clutter free home. The kind a random person would walk in and think “I could really see myself living here”. Unfortunately, not all buyers are able to look past your unique interests and tastes (and paint colors!) to see the potential.
Here are a few things to consider when readying your home to be on the market:

• Consider a fresh coat of paint (neutral colors work best)
  
• Shampoo carpeting and replace if necessary
  
• Clean, wax and/or refinish hardwood, vinyl or tile floors
  
• Wash all windows and window sills, vacuum blinds
  
• Clean the fireplace (interior and exterior)
  
• Clean and organize closets. Consider renting a storage unit to store items you will not be needing until after you have moved. This can also be done seasonally.
  
• Remove worn or broken items, such as rugs, furnishings, blankets
  
• Repair any small problems such as squeaky doors, screen doors, cracked moldings, cracks in grout or loose caulking
  
• Clean appliances inside and out
  
• Clean “forgotten areas” such as under the sink, above the refrigerator and inside the microwave
  
• Organize kitchen cabinets
  
• Mow lawn, trim shrubs
  
• Weed and mulch gardens
  
• Remove stains from concrete or asphalt
  
• Repair gutters and eves
  
• Paint the front door and mailbox
  
• Pot plants and greenery for an instant addition to curb appeal
  
• Add a welcome mat or seasonal décor
  
• Make sure the doorbell is in good working order
  

This list is a great starting point and will help position your home for a quicker sale. Keep things neat and tidy throughout the duration of the listing period. This way, showings will feel like less of an inconvenience, you will be less pressured to get the house in show-able condition, and are more likely to have a buyer walk in and say, “I love it”!