Published October 8, 2024
The Visual Inspection
The first strategy
for preparing a home for sale is somewhat simple - The Visual Tour.
Take a notepad and pen and walk around your home
just like a buyer would. Try to forget your home. Not literally, but
figuratively. Try to forget that your home is yours and is covered in all of
your personal touches, pictures, tools, and counter-top spices or appliances.
Imagine this is the first time you've been at your property.
Start outside. Approach your property from a
distance. What is appealing? What isn't appealing? Is the mailbox broken? Does
the yard need to be trimmed? Are there toys or tools in the yard? Is there
clutter on the porch? Make a list of things that need to be done to make the
outside of your home inviting. Some agents even recommend painting the front
door of the home an inviting color like coral, red, or yellow to give it a
welcoming feel.
Then go back inside the way a buyer would walk
inside your home. Remember to try to remain objective with fresh eyes. First
impressions are important! Are there keys and change scattered at an entry
table? Consider getting a cute key hanger or a nice dish/jar for change. If
coats are piled on a rack at the door, consider putting away all of the ones
that are not used daily.
As you continue through the home, keep watching
out for clutter on floors and countertops. Make a list of all the places
clutter can be moved. Think of where you can put the pile of letters or bills -
possibly in a drawer - and make sure you have those places identified in your
list (so you don't lose anything!).
Pay special attention to the clutter in this
order of importance:
1.
Kitchen
2.
Living
Room
3.
Bathrooms
4.
Rooms
that you know will be highlights
5.
Bedrooms
(buyers are far more forgiving of cluttered bedrooms than kitchens)
In each room, list and pick up every countertop or
bookshelf item and decide if it is appealing, or not. Then make a plan with
your family to split up the clutter list with the storage places identified and
move items as needed.
Contact Us to get a fresh pair of eyes to help you with
visual inspection. 925-322-1857 or
