Listing Your House Part 1: Preparing the Interior

Deciding to move and listing your house is such an exciting time. As a seller, you want to maximize the potential of your house and get the most money back from your investment. Here are a couple of things that you can do to the interior of your house to make it appeal more to a potential buyer.

Clear off the counters and clean out the closets! De-clutter all areas of the house. Pack up everything that you don’t need. Buyers want to be able to picture themselves living in your house. They want to imagine their furniture fitting into your spaces. If rooms are packed to the studs with nick nacks and piles of old magazines, your space will not only look smaller, it will accentuate all of the work that needs to get done. Move all unused appliances off of your kitchen counters. Buyers aren’t purchasing coffee makers or mixers, they are purchasing the counters, so make them appear bigger by storing less on top of them. Move any unused, and unnecessary furniture out of the house for the time being. Too much furniture in a room or oversized furniture can make a room seem much smaller than it is.

With all of the clutter gone, it will be easier to keep the floors and countertops spotless. Buyers are looking for a space that they can feel comfortable in. A clean house also shows a potential buyer that you care for the house and maintain it.

Neutralize any bright or bold paint colors throughout the house. The color of a room should not be the first thing that someone notices. A nice neutral color, like Benjamin Moore's Revere Pewter (HC-172) is both modern and broadly appealing. All told, paint is an easy fix for a new occupant, however most buyers view painting a new house as an unwelcomed chore and an added expense. If your walls are already a neutral color, make sure that you touch up any areas of concern. Paint all of the trim white to really modernize and update the space. Benjamin Moore's White Dove (OC-17) is a great option for trim work. 

You should also think about staging the highly personalized areas of your house. Maybe your dining room has turned into a playroom/office. Although this may be the best use of the space for your family, it was not its intended purpose. Clear out the stacks of paper, computer and charging cords. Store all of the toys someplace else. You should be showing someone walking through your house the room’s full potential. 

Take these steps, and you will be on your way to selling your home!

Are you ready to list your house? Contact Stephanie Graham at Mathieu Newton Sotheby's International Realty. ph: 774.293.0407 email: stephanie.graham@sothebysrealty.com