Preparing Your Home for Sale in Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia
As Washington DC's Best Real Estate Agent, Diana Tommingo offers the highest level of expertise when selling a home. Today’s buyers prefer move-in-ready properties, not projects. Renovating homes before they hit the market has never been more critical. An outdated or even dysfunctional kitchen or bath, or flooring that’s stained or scratched can all turn buyers away. With most buyers at home, searching online, it’s important to pique buyers’ interest and make updates and repairs before putting your house on the market.
Repair
Repair leaks, running toilets, repair walls, and replace all burned-out lightbulbs. Take care of all problems before we take professional photos or get ready to do showings, either through in-person or video tours. These small problems can lead to the impression that your whole home is not well-maintained.
Replace
Buyers will decide within minutes whether they like your home. Outdated light fixtures, worn carpets, old wallpaper, peeling paint, mildewed caulk, dated kitchen appliances and dead shrubs are a turn off. I also recommend my clients to replace all “soft light” bulbs with “daylight” bulbs because they make rooms look brighter and airy.
De-clutter
Eliminate clutter before cleaning. If your home is full of your collectibles, knickknacks and personal photographs, buyers won’t be able to imagine themselves living there. Also remove excess items on your kitchen counters and bathroom vanities, and minimize the contents of cabinets and closets.
Deep Clean
Your home should be spotless from top to bottom. Pay special attention to kitchens and bathrooms. The house must also smell clean. Remove evidence of pets as much as possible. Litter boxes, fish tanks, and feeding areas should be pristine.
Neutralize
We often design our homes to express ourselves using our favorite colors and unique tastes. However, when selling a home, the goal is to create just the opposite - a clean, neutral background that many potential buyers would like to move into. Freshly painted walls are a strong contributor to the value of your home. Replace any bold color choices on your floors and walls with something more neutral — think gray and beige. Don't forget the baseboards and door trim. Repainting and re-flooring will make everything look fresh and new, and help prospective buyers imagine all of the possibilities.