Preparing your house for the market??

**ama** · 09-08-2006, 08:50 AM

Any advice appreciated!!

Dh and I are talking about selling our home and moving to a new/better neighborhood. We make decent money now and would really like to have a better school district etc. So -- housing market being slow as it is does anyone have any suggestions, ideas for selling your home. Right now we are decluttering like crazy and the whole place needs to be dipped in paint (tone down to all neutral colors etc) but its a nice house and it would be great for a family.

**frugalfarmwife** · 09-08-2006, 09:15 AM

You've got the right idea, declutter as much as possible, slap on paint, make sure the yard/landscaping is neat and whenever it's going to be shown either use something like cinnamon potpourri (I just simmer cinnamon on the stove) or throw a frozen apple pie in the oven to make it smell really homey, one other really good smell is vanilla, smell is a VERY strong stimulus for memories and nothing says homey like being reminded of moms baking

kj

**bumplett** · 09-08-2006, 09:22 AM

when we purchased the house we are in now (about 2 years ago) I remember walking into the master bedroom & the real estate agent thought the homeowners had a "nature" cd playing..... you could hear the wonderful sounds of crickets during June ........ after the agent & my hubby couldn't find the source of the wonderful sounds....... we realized that the windows were open!! That was the clencher for hubby, he loved it! The crickets are wonderful during the summer!

Also, when we were selling our house (while buying this one), the suggestions given to me were to clean out the closets as much as possible. (so they look bigger)

Try to take the dogs with me if I left so people could walk all around the house & yard w/out being disturbed by the dogs. (can you imagine that some people are afraid of dogs??)

good luck!!

**banana** · 09-08-2006, 09:49 AM

When we sold our house. We decluttered like crazy. Took a lot of stuff out of the closets and rearranged them so they were really neat. We took down all the family pitures on the walls and furniture. Cleaned the house from top to bottom. Took the dog out every time there was a showing. Opened up the curtains so they could see the pretty views that we had. Had some nice smelling airfreshners plugged in.

Lots of luck to you on selling your house!

**MarshHen** · 09-08-2006, 10:38 AM

All of the things mentioned above and because kitchens and baths are also major selling points, make sure to declutter counter tops as much as possible. Also, don't forget to declutter and organize the pantry and linen closets. First impressions are important, so make the entry way into your home inviting by painting or replacing the front door, and make sure all locks, front and back door, are in good working order.

Also, be patient! I have sold two homes within the last 4 years. One home was the last one we built and it took 2-1/2 years to sell it, and then one we flipped last year. It took us 2 months to flip it, and 3 days to sell it at asking price after being listed online. Also, make sure you have a good real estate agent, if using one.