Seller Resources
Preparing Your Home to Sell
Fully preparing your home can make a considerable difference in how long it takes to sell. You eliminate buyer objections before they arise.
Start here, not with the paint
Most sellers begin with cosmetics. Cosmetics matter, but they matter after the functional items are handled. A beautifully staged house with a failing roof and an undisclosed oil tank will still get discounted hard at inspection. Work the list below from the outside in, and handle anything mechanical before anything decorative.
A quick filter for every item: will a buyer pay more because of this, or walk away without it? If neither, it is optional. Spend your budget where the answer is yes.
Curb Appeal & Grounds
- Spruce up the garden and lawn, trim shrubbery and replace dead plants
- Yard and patio neat; outdoor furniture clean and in good shape
- Clean or paint the front door. First impressions last the longest
- Manicure the front yard and clear the driveway and entry of clutter
- Pressure wash walkways, siding and the north side where moss builds
Exterior
- House numbers, mailbox and exterior lighting all in good condition
- Touch up with fresh paint as needed
- Inspect the chimney for cracks or seismic damage
- Repair loose trim, gutters, downspouts and fencing
- Clean stains and window screens
- Clear gutters and confirm downspouts discharge away from the foundation
Living Areas
- Fresh paint in neutral tones brightens interiors more than anything else per dollar
- Clean the carpets
- Replace burnt out light bulbs, and match color temperature throughout
- Clean the fireplace and remove smoke stains from the wall and mantle
- Clean window coverings and replace damaged blinds
Kitchen
- Sinks, appliances and counter tops should sparkle. Remove all clutter
- Clean the oven, range and other appliances inside and out
- Clean tile and grout; replace if necessary
- Clear everything off the counters except one or two intentional items
Bathrooms
- Clean mirrors, glass, chrome and porcelain surfaces
- Replace the shower curtain if necessary
- Fix any faucet drips or leaks
- Clean grout and caulking; replace if necessary
- Run the fan and confirm it actually vents outside, not into the attic
Closets, Garage & Overall
- Doors and drawers should open and close easily
- Remove clutter; tidy shelves and racks. Shoes and clothes neatly arranged
- Clear the garage floor and shelves
- Check all doors, windows and cabinets so nothing sticks, squeaks or is loose
- Service the furnace and water heater to demonstrate proper maintenance
The Oregon items most checklists leave out
- Moss and the north side. Roof moss reads as deferred maintenance to every Pacific Northwest buyer and inspector. Treat it and clean the roof before photos.
- Crawlspace and vapor barrier. Standing water, a torn vapor barrier or a failed sump is a very common finding here and a disproportionately expensive negotiation. Look before the buyer’s inspector does.
- Buried oil tank. If the house predates 1980, find out now whether there is a tank and whether it was properly decommissioned. Having the certificate in hand is worth real money at closing.
- Sewer scope. Cast iron and Orangeburg laterals fail in the older neighborhoods across all of these towns. Scope it yourself; a five-figure surprise at inspection is worse than a known repair you price in.
- Radon. Oregon Health Authority recommends testing every home. If yours tests high, mitigation is affordable and a mitigated house sells more easily than an untested one.
- Cooling. Since the 2021 heat dome, Oregon buyers actively look for air conditioning. If you have ductless heads or central air, make sure it is prominent. If you do not, expect it to come up.
- On acreage: have the well flow test, potability panel, septic pump and inspection, and the county zoning determination done before listing. Rural buyers are more cautious and rural deals fall apart over exactly these items.
Not sure what is worth doing on your house?
Walk it with me. I will tell you which items will come back to you at closing and which ones will not, based on what buyers in your specific town are actually paying for right now.
Or call or text me: 503-260-2164