We get it—selling your home can be stressful. After all, there are showings to coordinate, realtors to work with, and open houses to prepare for. All that work can seem daunting, but preparing your home for a showing or open house should be the least of your worries. Here are a few tips from University Hills real estate professionals to help you get your house in tip-top shape for prospective buyers.

Take a Look From the Curb

Your home’s exterior often forms prospective buyers’ first impressions about your property. When it looks messy, it can immediately cause them to lose interest in the house. Stand at the curb and examine your landscaping. Trim anything that looks unkempt and pull up any weeds in the lawn or garden bed. Wash the outside of your windows and clear away any leaves or debris from the walkway. The more inviting your house looks from the curb, the more interested buyers will be.  

Get Rid of Clutter

When you have a family, taming clutter can be a real challenge, but it can help make the house look more appealing. Before the showing, pick up any clutter that’s collected on countertops, dressers, and even closets. While buyers will often be more understanding if kids’ rooms look a bit messy, they may lose interest if the rest of the house looks like a mess.

Store Heirlooms and Favorite Items Elsewhere

While the vast majority of prospective buyers will be respectful of your property, others may not be. Rather than risking theft or damage to your favorite possessions, consider storing them elsewhere. If you have a storage unit, move the items until your home sells. If not, you can always remove the items during a showing and put them in the trunk of your car.

Take Care of Minor Repairs

Buyers like to know a home was well-cared for even if it’s older, so rather than letting minor issues slide, take care of them before the showing. Replace burned out light bulbs, lubricate squeaky door hinges, and repaint scuff marks on the walls. These little touches can go a long way when making a home more appealing to would-be buyers. If you have the budget, taking care of larger repairs and maintenance can help you get a better offer. Remember, the more well-maintained your home appears, the more likely it is to sell.

Air It Out

Even the nicest homes can start to smell musty over time. A few hours before the showing or open house, open the windows and let some fresh air in. This way, the house will smell nice without the use of chemical air fresheners or cleaning agents. If you have pets, take extra care to air out their bedding as well. Though you may not smell them, people not used to your house will.

Stay on Top of It

Preparing for showings can take a long time if you go whole days between cleanings. Instead of rushing to get the job done before the realtor arrives, stay on top of the basics. Wipe down bathrooms every other day and vacuum the most lived-in areas once daily. Don’t panic if the dirty dishes pile up—instead, get a little sneaky and stash them in the dishwasher the morning of the showing. You can always rearrange them or wash them by hand after the tour.

At Elevation Realty, we want to make buying and selling a home as simple as possible. Browse our featured properties and contact us today to speak with one of our dedicated realtors in Denver.