It is a tough time to sell a home in Michigan, but homes are being sold. It is going to take time to sell your home no matter how nice your home is.
Turning 'For Sale' into 'Sold' Getting Your Home Ready To Sell Requires A Little Money And A Lot Of Work!
Depersonalize your house Get rid of family pictures on walls, dressers, and refridgerator.
Odors will kill a sale. Pet odors, smoking odors, old person odor, mildew odors. Find the source and clean it. Then buy one of the many products to eliminate the smell and make your house smell better. I always remember I was showing a home to a couple with a 5 year child. We walked into a home and the child blurted out "what is that smell". Make sure litterboxes are clean and dog hair is up if you have a pet.
Clean everything! Bathrooms and kitchen, all rooms and closets from ceilings to floors and carpets!!
Caulk all areas that need it (around sinks, bathtubs, shower stalls, windows, doors, etc) Grease or oil all squeaky doors and gates.
Repaint all areas, especially halls, kitchen and family room if possible. Neutral paint is one of the biggest selling features!
If you have wallpaper consider removing it and repainting. I went into one kitchen that had vegetable wallpaper. I'm sure the homeowner loved it but it killed the deal. And my buyer liked the house up to that point.
If you have worn or stained carpeting consider replacing it with a neutral carpeting.
Clean the windows and doors (inside and outside) Make them shine. Make sure they open, close, and lock with ease.
Get rid of extra chairs, cabinets, or anything that takes up floor space in the kitchen. Every lady likes a spacious kitchen. Get rid of the dog bowls, the potato bin, the desk.
Wipe down all light fixtures including outdoor ones.
Edge your flowerbeds and add fresh mulch. Keep the lawn mowed and edged. Trim the shrubs.
Get rid of any overgrown bushes or trees that hide the house.
Reseed any bald spots in the yard.
If you have a pool make sure the water is sparkling clear.
Plant flowers in bloom or add baskets and planters.
Remove anything that has been laying around the yard, or garage ( that you have been saving ie old wood, that old barbeque).
Make sure your front door is stained, varnished, or painted. Your front door is the first impression. Add a welcoming wreath to your front door.
Repair any leaking water pipes or faucets. If there are water stains clean them up after repairing the leak.
Replace stained, bowed, or missing ceiling tiles.
Polish all brass fixtures.
Replace your furnace filters and leave a few extra ones out to show you're good at regular maintenance.
Unclutter all cabinets and closets by packing away things you are not currently using. you want the appearance of spaciousness. By have a crowded closet it appears smaller to the buyer.
Have the siding, deck, stained cement, and railings pressure washed.
Put a coat of paint or varnish on the deck.
Clean and organize the garage, work bench, and shed.
Clean up grease and oil stains on the garage and driveway.
Give your hardwood floors a shine, clean grout on floor tiles.
Get rid of or hide counter 'stuff' too much clutter makes a kitchen or bath look smaller.
If you have an asphalt driveway, consider having it "black topped" for a fresh clean look.
Inspect the wooden trim (window sills, roof line, porches, decks) replace rotten wood and repaint as necessary. Make sure windows and doors open, close, and lock easily.
Add bright bulbs to all areas of the house inside and out.
Add plug in air fresheners all around the house (oil variety in natural soft fragrances are great).
Russ Ravary is a licensed real estate agent in the State of Michigan and a Realtor.
Photos, Comp and Listing Information Courtesy of Realcomp II Ltd, Properties shown have been listed and sold by various MLS member REALTOR® agents.
I do not guarantee or warrantee any of the above information. Please feel free to verify any of the facts. I recommend to always have a home inspection, always consult an attorney about contracts, Purchase agreements and any legal questions. Also consult a CPA or accountant about tax consequence regarding a Michigan home sale, or Michigan foreclosure.