So you’re avoiding the seven sins of selling and getting ready to show your home for the first time. To really make the most of your showing and lure in buyers, you’ve got to put in a little work first. You'd be surprised just how far a little TLC can go towards greasing the wheels for a faster sale.

So is your house ready? Here's how to make sure. Here are seven tactics sure to help prepare your home for sale:

1.) Clear the Clutter

We’ve written before about how clutter can kill a sale. Your prospective buyers need to be able to see themselves in the space, rather than just seeing years and years of your piled-up personal items. Get rid of junk to make your home seem welcome and inviting, and organize the storage spaces that the buyers will want to take into consideration, including all closets, the garage, and your kitchen and bathroom drawers. 

2.) De-Personalize Your Home

While the design choices you’ve made might suit your eclectic tastes, they might be a total turnoff to outsiders. Don’t let one or two personal flourishes cause your sale to flounder. Before your visitors arrive, clear away your sports memorabilia (after all, they may not be fans) and take down family photos. Take a hard look at your design choices, too, and be willing to tamp them down, whether that means repainting a wall into a more neutral color, taking down ornate drapes, or changing the bedsheets.

3.) Improve Your Entrance

The front door is a portal to the home – make it an inviting one! Adding a fresh coat of paint (particularly in a bright color that contrasts with the rest of your home) can make your door stand out in a really positive way. And why not complete the effect by putting down a welcome mat on your threshold to truly make your visitors feel like welcome guests?

4.) Boost the Curb Appeal

Your prospective buyer’s journey with your property starts the second they pull up outside. Make sure the outside of your home makes a good first impression by mowing your lawn, tending to your garden, and making sure that the walkways are clear and free of weeds or debris. In addition to the greenery, spruce up the outside of your home even further by making sure your gutters are clear and power-washing mold or grime from your siding. But you live in a condo building, you say? If you're in a high-rise you may have little control over these items, but in a three- or six-unit building, all of these apply just the same. 

5.) Upgrade or Make Minor Repairs

When it comes to moving your property more quickly, some small renovations can go a very long way. Try our money-saving hacks to add beautiful and functional updates to your décor without breaking the bank, or perform a remodel of your kitchen or bathroom to make them feel more modern.

And be on the lookout for any small (or large) repairs that should be attended to: Patch holes, fix any leaky sinks or pipes, replace cracked floor and ceiling tiles, and make sure all your alarm systems, electronics, and lightbulbs are working properly.

6.) Make the House Sparkle

Your property can look like a pigsty, so clean, clean, clean! Wipe your counters and polish your kitchen appliances, clean the bathrooms, get rid of junk in your refrigerator, dust and clean out cobwebs, vacuum your carpets, and put out fresh soaps and towels. Clean your windows and don’t be afraid to open them to let in light and fresh air.

Eliminate odors, as well: take out the trash, dump the litter box, spray air neutralizer, and try adding fresh flowers or baking cookies to make your home feel inviting and clean before your prospective buyers arrive.

7.) Tell a Story

This is more of an advanced staging technique, but it can reap huge dividends with the right team by your side. Give your home a smooth flow and let the space guide your visitor’s path by clearing away any obstructions and providing a natural course. Along the way, make sure you emphasize the purpose and qualities of each room – try highlighting impressive focal points with a pop of color, or even stage vignettes (like, say, an open book and a mug of tea cooling on a window seat) to give your viewers a sense of how they might make the most of each room.

Have any more questions about selling or staging in the Chicagoland area? We’re here to help! Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, drop Real Group a line to get started today!