Are you thinking of putting your Southern Maryland home on the market? An important early step in the selling process is making sure your house is freshened-up and inviting to host an open house. It’s crucial that your house stands out to potential buyers, so you should be aware of what amenities they may be looking for to ensure your house is ready to go to sale. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Cleanliness

Buyers will be looking at absolutely everything in your home as they walk through. They’ll open kitchen cabinets, look under the beds, inspect the garage, and peek into areas that you might not expect them to. Prospective buyers are likely making their biggest investment to date, so no area will be off limits. Making sure you clean everything spotlessly is a must.  Remove fingerprint smudges from windows, mirrors, light switches, and doors, give the furniture and shelving a thorough dusting, clean the interiors of the refrigerator and oven, and clear the gutters. Remove any clutter and consider doing the ‘white glove test’ to be perfectly sure you’ve addressed everything. 

Storage

Quite often, storage requirements top buyers’ wish lists, so it’s important that the space in your home allotted for storage is organized and tidy. If your kitchen cabinets are crammed full of kitchen gear, it may be a good idea to clear some items out, pack them up and put them into storage. If a buyer looks into your pantry or refrigerator and the shelves are completely full, they may assume that there isn’t enough space. Neaten your pantry and refrigerator items. Often, adding organizational baskets or racks can create more space. Make sure your closets are well organized, that everything is folded neatly, and that it’s not too crowded.

Keep It Bright 

Many buyers look for good natural light along with bright, open spaces. Let as much light in as possible— open curtains and blinds, remove window treatments that may be heavy and dark, and check that all the lightbulbs in the house are in working order. Rooms painted in darker tones can often appear smaller than they actually are, so repainting in a lighter shade may serve to enhance the space.

Enhance Curb Appeal

The old adage about first impressions is true, so do what you can to improve curb appeal. Keep your lawn trimmed and walkways maintained, clear cobwebs from the eaves, and consider adding potted flowers or a new brightly colored mailbox. Don’t go overboard— you’re going for understated but charming, and you want your buyers to think the house is warm and welcoming.

It may take some work to get your home ready for an open house, but it will be worth it once the offers start coming in. If you need recommendations for a local Realtor to work with or you need a pre-approval for a mortgage, I’d be happy to help.