The two things that most sellers want is top dollar for their property and a quick sale. Careful planning on what to do with your home when you put it up for sale will lower the number of days on market. One very important step is to put all your personal items away including family pictures. Try and disconnect yourself from the home or condo and realize this property will not be yours for very much longer. Buyers want to imagine their own items and pictures in the home, making it feel like a home to them. You don’t want buyers to focus on who lives in the home or condo now, but what will it be like for them to live there in the near future. Putting your personal items away also helps the home appear larger since there is less clutter.
All counter tops and dining room tables need to be kept clear. Think of a model home you walk into, you don’t see any clutter or personal items. Everything is clean and clear of all newspapers, magazines, knickknacks and food items. No dirty dishes in the sink. A cluttered home makes the buyer feel uncomfortable and will potentially push them out of the showing quickly. It also sends a message to the buyer that you may not be taking care of the rest of the home if you can’t keep it clean – what else is wrong with the home?
As part of de-cluttering, don’t forget the closets and kitchen cabinets. Buyer’s love to open up closets. Make sure shoes are nice and neat and boxes are not stuffed to the ceiling – nothing makes a closet look smaller than boxes from floor to ceiling. Kitchen cabinets should be nice and neat as well, rearrange and straighten food items, dishes and glassware. Think of how a buyer would feel coming into a sparkling clean and neat home. They want to live there!
About the Author: Eric Miller is a broker associate /owner with Keller Williams Realty in Fort Lauderdale with over 10 years of experience. Eric Miller and Associates is an award winning team of Ft. Lauderdale realtors and can be found online at FortLauderdaleGroup.com, where you can view every Fort Lauderdale condominium listed for sale.
Keith Munsell 
