Peoria IL Real Estate
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You probably think I’m going to tell you to gut your kitchen or repaint the home, but in reality, the most important thing you can do to prepare your home for the real estate market costs nothing but time and elbow grease: deep clean the entire house, indoors and out.

When buyers come through your home, they are likely to open closets, peep in the garage, and look inside the refrigerator. You want every surface to be gleaming. The cleaner everything is, the more the buyer will trust that you have taken care of and properly maintained the home itself.

Clean inside the kitchen appliances, beside them, behind them, and under them. Wash the windows inside and out, including the frames, trim, and blinds. Clean out closets and storage spaces. You’re going to move anyway -- why not get a head start on packing up and giving away unwanted items?

If you have the budget, bring in a cleaning crew, have carpeting and flooring cleaned professionally, and have someone out to check for landscaping that’s in need of a trim. When you’re finished, your home should sparkle. Maintain it carefully throughout the process leading to the sale, keeping clutter out of sight and keeping it clean for any subsequent showings.

Odors are probably the number one thing that will kill a sale. Some buyers won’t even walk into the house if they detect an unpleasant odor. The most common odors are pet odors, smoke odors, cooking odors, and musty, mildew odors.

Besides a thorough cleaning, look into ways to mitigate odors, including repainting and replacing soft surfaces like rugs, drapes, and upholstered furnishings that can hold odors. If you are a smoker, smoke outdoors while the home is on the market.

Depersonalization is the process of taking away identifying elements from the home’s interior, including personal photos, memorabilia, political and religious items, and distracting decorative items. Many people become offended when asked to depersonalize their space, but the process is necessary for maximizing the home’s appeal to buyers.

Psychologically, your goal when selling your home is to allow a buyer to picture him or herself in your home. It is difficult to do this if they are looking at pictures of you and your family on vacation or looking at decorative items that are highly unusual or those that are reflective of your personal taste or beliefs.

Please remember, your goal is to get your home sold. Since you are moving anyway, it makes sense to go ahead and pack up photos and other personal items. In order to make this process as easy as possible, go ahead and take this step early in the process. You will find that it helps you and your family as you begin to transition emotionally from your current home into your new home.