Over the years working to help our clients get their homes ready for sale, there's one thing we hear over and over, "Why didn't we do this a long time ago?".  With this in mind, we've come to believe that you should go through your home every couple years as if you are getting ready to sell, then don't! Let's face it, with the pandemic and winter setting in maybe you have time on your hands. Our process breaks it down to three basic steps; Fix it, Refresh it, Stage it.

Fix it!

Yes, you can do this!  No doubt you have some items that need attention. We're busy people right? As homeowners it's natural to live with the faults in our own home. But when it comes time to market your home, it's important and profitable to present your home in tip-top shape. Why not fix it now so you can enjoy it? Below are some common items to look for and fix;

• Wall & Ceiling Cracks - Season to season, houses move and walls and ceilings crack.   Get yourself a roll of Sheetrock tape and some Sheetrock mud and get to work. 

• Window Cracks and Loose Glazing  - Replace cracked window glass & repair glazing (if you  have a minor crack, you can disclose this on your required Seller's Disclosure paperwork at the time of sale, but keep in mind a buyer may want you to repair it).  If you have more than you want to handle and want to call in some help,  M & S Glass (612-735-6374) and SP Windows are both great resources.

• Check or Replace Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Detectors - If your detectors have yellowed, Inspector 7 says they have reached the end of their life.  We can help you check the code in your city, but most cities require a Smoke Detector in each bedroom and on each level of the home. And, you must have a Carbon Monoxide Detector within 10 feet of any bedroom. Either way, keep you family safe and check the status of your detectors. 

• Clean Utilities – Dust and remove cobwebs from the furnace or boiler, hot water heater and water softener. And be sure you are replacing your furnace filter each month. This alone prolongs the life of your forced air furnace!

• Replace Light Bulbs -  Energy efficient bulbs come in many different types - we suggest using warm light v. daylight especially when you're getting ready to sell.     

• Tighten It Up - Tighten up loose hand rails, handles, knobs, fixtures, outlets etc. And of course if it's broken, replace it! City Salvage and   Bauer Brothers Salvage in NE Minneapolis are our go-to for pieces and parts to our old home. They have everything!  Plus, it's just a fun exciting excursion.

Refresh it!
Caulk and paint will make it what it ain't!  Not sure who said that, but we've used that phrase ever since. Fresh paint is likely the single most important thing you can do to freshen your home and make it look more up-to-date and clean. Plus, paint is generally affordable, but please use the good stuff!  We're happy to share our Pro- Discount at Sherwin Williams.  Or, check out Amazon Paint for recycled paint. 

• Painter's Caulk  - Using painters caulk to fill cracks between trim and walls  is easy and cheap - you'll be amazed how it makes your home look new and fresh, like it was painted by a  professional. 

• Refresh your Interior Paint - Go for it! Add color where you were afraid to before. But, if you are moving, consider a more neutral color palette. Now, we're not saying go white, but rather change to calming warm tones. Pay special attention to high traffic areas like hallways, entryways and mudrooms.

• Paint your Homes Exterior, Windows and Door Trim - Depending on the quality of paint, your exterior should be painted every 3-7 years. To protect your wood from weather damage be sure to stay on top of this. (Until a few years ago you needed to paint above 50° F. Sherwin-Williams now has products like Duration, Resilience, SuperPaint and A-100 Exterior that will allow you to paint down to 35° F.)

Stage it!
No, you don't need to hire a professional stager!  It's time to de-clutter, spruce-up and update! Prepare for the holidays as well as get it ready for a calm peaceful winter at home.

• De-Clutter the Main Living Spaces - Remove excess furniture, accumulated books and magazine piles. Thin the books in your bookcases and even consider stacking some of them horizontally rather than showing them in the standard vertical position. 

• Refresh Your Décor - Think like a gardener and clump items in 3's or 5's on end tables, coffee tables and atop buffets or consoles. Change your wall art, or simply move it to a new location! Refresh your family photos. If you're actually going to list your home we recommend boxing it up for the new house.  Or, use our sneaky technique and cut magazine pictures to replace your family photos in frames. 

• Deep Clean & Organize - This is where you pay close attention to those places you use on the daily; junk drawers, kitchen drawers, bathroom drawers, linen closet, bedroom closets and yes, even the storage room. Take the time to purge the things you no longer use, love or bring joy. Really go Marie Kondo! There are many places to take the good stuff you don't want; Goodwill, Arc Value Village, shelters and so many more. Finally, wash your windows!  

• Window Coverings - Replace, clean or remove dated window coverings. There are a lot of discount sources, but we found SelectBlinds to have great affordable wood blinds for our home. And when we measured wrong, they told us to keep the mistake because they have a F.I.T. Guarantee! Turns out, the mistake fit great in another bedroom!

• Consider Updating Old Light Fixtures - Maybe you simply need to dust and clean your fixtures, but when you're ready to refresh there are plenty of inexpensive updated looks at all the big box stores; Home Depot, Lowe's and Menards. But, there are also larger selections to be found online at those stores and at Wayfair, LampsPlus, Shades of Light and so many more. 

We hope we haven't totally overwhelmed you!  Instead, we hope these tips are useful and help to motivate and allow you to enjoy shedding some excess weight. You're welcome!