The 11-Step Checklist Honolulu Sellers Needs to Follow

The focus for Honolulu sellers readying a house for a sale is to make buyers excited to put in an offer.  The more excited a buyer is about the home the better their offer will be.  

Making a buyer fall in love with a house is not an easy task for Honolulu sellers.  They need to put in the work to make their home stand out against the crowd.  

To get those higher offers start with this checklist to make the most out of a sale.

Beauty is on the Outside?

Buyers make their judgment of the Honolulu house before they step one foot inside.  If the outside of the home is in shambles they are already thinking about walking away.  

Fix anything that is broken, wash the sidewalks and driveway, and add in a little foliage.  Potted plants work great so they can easily be moved around if needed.  

Deep Clean

The first step to any sale is getting rid of everything that is not necessary.  Some items find a home on a table or counter and simply never leave. They may not be garbage, but they are certainly not being used by the homeowner.  Clear away any clutter.  

Even if a Honolulu homeowner does not throw away everything they can pack it away and send it to a storage shed to bring to the next home.  Go beyond just the counters, look through drawers, cabinets, and closets for excess items. Anything that is disorganized will tell a home buyer there is not enough room in the house for all of their items.

Nothing Personal

While removing clutter, get rid of every personal item.  Pictures of the family, hand-drawn pictures from the children, odd choices in décor, and even items that display religious preferences.  Anything that could be considered a piece that explores a personal opinion needs to be packed away.

A Blank Slate

Buyers do not want to deal with the old paint colors from the previous owner.  Repainting all rooms in a neutral tone will make any buyer happy to move in. Neutral colors make it easier for buyers to think about their own items in the home, instead of thinking about how ugly that bright green wall is.

Small Problems

While painting, think about the baseboards, floors, and ceilings.  Any small nicks, scratches, and scuffs will distract the buyer. They will walk through the home thinking about how much work they need to put in before moving in, instead of admiring the beauty of the home.  Fix these small problems to really let the home speak for itself.

Checking Doors and Lights

That closet that no one uses because the handle has been broken for years needs to be fixed.  Any loose handles, squeaky hinges, and missing light bulbs will be major turn-offs for a buyer.  They are simple fixes but they instill a fear in a buyer that the Honolulu sellers have been neglecting the home.  

Plants and Color

Having live plants in the home shows the Honolulu sellers can care for something and that they care for their home.  They add in color and can be great accents to any room. For even more color consider fresh fruit in the kitchen in a decorative bowl.  Or simply buy a fresh bouquet of flowers for the entryway.  

Something Smells

Honolulu sellers learn to ignore the smell of their home.  Have a friend come over and smell test the home. Any odd lingering smells will be the first thing a home buyer notices.  Take care of any messes or problems causing smells.  

Do not use heavy scents to cover smells because it lets the home buyer know there was a problem.  Light scents that are barely detectable will make the walkthrough pleasant but not draw attention.

Clean More

When Honolulu sellers thinks that their house is clean enough they should start cleaning again.  Get into the small spaces that no one ever pays attention to. Buyers have an eagle eye for those small messes that no one else notices.

Packing Away Important Items

Not all buyers are trustworthy.  Open houses are great opportunities for someone to walk in, grab valuables, and leave.  Anything that would be valuable enough to steal should not stay in the house when buyers are walking through.

Make The Home Sing

Finally, the last step in preparing a Honolulu home is staging.  Most opt to hire a staging company. For those that want to save the money, staging can be completed alone.  Staging a house may mean bringing in different furniture and décor. It is all about rearranging to best utilize and advertise the space.