Tips to Sell Your Home

A question often asked: How do we sell our home?

It’s actually really quite simple and often takes more time than it does money. But that time isn’t fruitless once a sold sign is happily displayed out front.

Here are our favorite tricks of the trade to get your home ready for the market.

depersonalize & declutter
It’s been your children’s haven since birth and the dozens of photos of them are your pride and joy. The space is you - we get it and we understand the joy that comes from said display. At the same time, clients want to visualize their future in your home and all those mementos can surreptitiously sneak their way in between you and a deal. To help buyers visualize themselves in your home SIMPLIFY & DECLUTTER.
- Keep family photos to a minimum so buyers see the room itself.
- Clear off the refrigerator. We want buyers to focus on the kitchen functionality & design, not your monthly calendar and save the dates.
- Simplify kitchen counters to include only vitals. Remove toasters, blenders, baby bottles/drying racks, unsightly food boxes, etc.
- Make sure shelves look styled, not maximized. Negative space is okay!
- Your office and desk space should be orderly and free from chaos. Remove excessive paper, bills, mismatched pens, plastic tape dispenser, etc.
- Store away unsightly items: medicine bottles, computer cords, outdoor cleaning towels, mismatched cups, piles of blankets, paper towel holders, dog toys, the mountain-load of baby toys, etc. Let the “pretty items” shine.
- Organize dresser tops & closets. Closets are a huge selling point and this is often one of the biggest mistakes seller’s make. Clothes should be neatly hung or put away. Organize your shoes, belts, bags and jewelry nicely so buyers see the potential of the space.
- Throw away unused vacant flower pots. And if the plant isn’t alive and thriving - ditch it.
- Simplify garage storage and organize those tools, lawn equipment, empty paint cans, and various outdoor children’s play equipment.
- A fresh coat of paint never hurts. Keep it neutral - white is my go to (recommendation - Swiss Coffee).
clean & keep it clean
- Before photos and before your home hits the market do a deep clean, top to bottom. This includes wiping baseboards, blinds, counter-tops, mirrors, toilets, the works.
- Ensure it smells nice. There shouldn’t be a trace of animal wafting around. Just make sure it’s a hint of smell, not overwhelmingly perfume-like. Think about your spice cabinet or local spa. Our favorites scents are lavender, vanilla, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, pumpkin spice.
- KEEP IT CLEAN. This will be the most tireless of the tips, but if done daily, should only take 15-30 minutes and will make a huge impact. Sellers rarely get much of a notice when it comes to showings. Take time each evening or morning to set the house back to show-worthy. This includes making the bed, the occasional light vacuum as needed, washing dishes and putting away, wiping down counters and bathroom vanity’s, making sure glass shower doors are pristine, scooping cat litter boxes, taking out the trash each morning, and putting away that fresh laundry (or hiding the dirty loads in hampers).
- Don’t forget about curb appeal. The front of your lot is virtually your front door and says a lot about you as an owner. The lawn should be well-kept. Mow and weed as needed. Spruce up your flower beds. Organize flower pots and plants. Sweep the porch and make sure your welcome mats are inviting.
remove big ticket items your taking
- Remove the temptation from buyers. This isn’t every item in your home, but those AFFIXED or fastened to the property (i.e. drilled into your wall or installed). Including: Custom blinds or shades, curtain rods (usually not the curtain itself), chandeliers and lighting fixtures. Appliances should not be removed and are always negotiable. If you can’t live without your grandmother’s chandelier, remove and reinstall a new fixture. The last thing you want is a buyer falling in love with something they can’t have and souring the deal. Just be careful - make sure the newly installed fixture works well the with the house and looks as if it belongs. Here’s a great article!
invest in good photos
- Your first look is THE MOST IMPORTANT LOOK. If it’s anything less than remarkable, the buyer will move on. Ensure a professional photographer is hired to accurately capture your home. This means all the best angles, best lighting, and proper editing.

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Morgan RhodesJanuary 31, 2019Selling, Selling Your Home, Sell Your Home Fast, Quick Sale, Real Estate Tips, Realtor Tips, Seller Tips

Tips to Sell Your Home

A question often asked: How do we sell our home?

It’s actually really quite simple and often takes more time than it does money. But that time isn’t fruitless once a sold sign is happily displayed out front.

Here are our favorite tricks of the trade to get your home ready for the market.

Keep family photos to a minimum so buyers see the room itself.

Clear off the refrigerator. We want buyers to focus on the kitchen functionality & design, not your monthly calendar and save the dates.

Simplify kitchen counters to include only vitals. Remove toasters, blenders, baby bottles/drying racks, unsightly food boxes, etc.

Make sure shelves look styled, not maximized. Negative space is okay!

Your office and desk space should be orderly and free from chaos. Remove excessive paper, bills, mismatched pens, plastic tape dispenser, etc.

Store away unsightly items: medicine bottles, computer cords, outdoor cleaning towels, mismatched cups, piles of blankets, paper towel holders, dog toys, the mountain-load of baby toys, etc. Let the “pretty items” shine.

Organize dresser tops & closets. Closets are a huge selling point and this is often one of the biggest mistakes seller’s make. Clothes should be neatly hung or put away. Organize your shoes, belts, bags and jewelry nicely so buyers see the potential of the space.

Throw away unused vacant flower pots. And if the plant isn’t alive and thriving - ditch it.

Simplify garage storage and organize those tools, lawn equipment, empty paint cans, and various outdoor children’s play equipment.

A fresh coat of paint never hurts. Keep it neutral - white is my go to (recommendation - Swiss Coffee).

Before photos and before your home hits the market do a deep clean, top to bottom. This includes wiping baseboards, blinds, counter-tops, mirrors, toilets, the works.

Ensure it smells nice. There shouldn’t be a trace of animal wafting around. Just make sure it’s a hint of smell, not overwhelmingly perfume-like. Think about your spice cabinet or local spa. Our favorites scents are lavender, vanilla, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, pumpkin spice.

Don’t forget about curb appeal. The front of your lot is virtually your front door and says a lot about you as an owner. The lawn should be well-kept. Mow and weed as needed. Spruce up your flower beds. Organize flower pots and plants. Sweep the porch and make sure your welcome mats are inviting.

Your first look is THE MOST IMPORTANT LOOK. If it’s anything less than remarkable, the buyer will move on. Ensure a professional photographer is hired to accurately capture your home. This means all the best angles, best lighting, and proper editing.