How To Make Money on Your Home in a Down Market: Interiors

What do you feel as you walk into a model home? Everything looks new and clean. Furniture is well arranged with adequate space to walk. Each room is tastefully decorated with a minimum amount of accessories. You don't smell fish left over from last night, but the aroma of home-baked cookies is in the air. It is well lit and the temperature is comfortable. In winter, there is a roaring fire, and in spring, the windows are open with a light breeze. The bathrooms have accessories that call out to you. The bedrooms invite you to nap. Come in and stay awhile. You are at home. This is part 3 of a 3-part series; parts 1 and 2 explore landscaping and exterior preparations to sell. Here are my recommendtions on how to make your home look like a model:

1. Clean, clean, clean. This principle is just as important on the inside as it is on the outside. Though your house is your castle that you live in comfortably, the prospective buyer prefers more of a model home look. Their first impression should be a good one.
2. Remove the clutter. Since you are moving, you will be packing or throwing away things. So why not do some of this ahead of time? Pack up the things you do not use everyday and throw out the things you no longer want.
3. Clean and organize your closets, cabinets and storage areas. Storage is always something buyers are interested in. An organized area appears to be more spacious.
4. Paint. Painting is one of the easiest and quickest things you can do to dramatically change the appearance of your home. This includes walls, ceilings and trim work. Most experts recommend using a neutral color. If the house needs painting but you elect not to do so, you might be asked to give the buyer a paint allowance.
5. Clean all windows and screens. Repair screens if needed. Make sure window locks work.
6. Clean floor coverings. Have carpets professionally cleaned. Replace any worn-out vinyl. Pay close attention to pet stains. If the coverings, are worn out you should replace them or be prepared to give the buyer an allowance for this.
7. Make sure bath tubs and showers are clean. Experts say the chrome should shine. Replace grout and caulk if needed.
8. Make the kitchen look new again. The kitchen is where most families spend a lot of time. All the appliances should be cleaned and everything should work. Remove as much stuff as possible from the counters. Wash the kitchen cabinets. Remove unnecessary furniture so there is room to move about.
9. Do a spring cleaning. Even if you sell your house during the winter, you should clean it top to bottom before putting it on the market. This includes ceilings, ceiling fans, walls, baseboards, doors, window tracks and coverings, and vent covers. Anything that collects dust should be cleaned.
10. Don't forget the fireplace. Clean out last years ashes.
11. Garage and basement are part of the house. These areas should be cleaned and organized.
12. Make small repairs if needed. Make sure light switches, outlets, ceiling fans, vent fans, lights, and plumbing are in working order.

Putting a lived-in home on the market is difficult for a seller. For most of us, our home is our castle. We don't always want, or have the time, to keep our homes neat and clean. If the above is too difficult, I recommend having a professional cleaning crew do the work. Some things, like carpet, require an expert. From the time the prospective buyer opens the front door, you want this to be a pleasant experience for them. They do not want to see your dirty underwear, last night's dishes in the sink or all your family treasures. This is not a social call to visit with your kids and pets. They want to know if this house will work for them as their castle.