https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:09:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast/page/2#post-787711 Thu, 16 May 2013 16:27:16 +0000 sooz 787711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just sold our house and went through the whole process. We got our realtor to give us his recs on what should be repaired, cleaned and staged. </p> <p>Then as others recommended, we decluttered...a lot! We basically left only a bed and dresser and a bookshelf in each room. Nothing on the bathrooms counters and nothing on the kitchen counters. We also took down all personal items including personal photos, but left a few paintings and other small decorations. </p> <p>Lastly, we steam cleaned all the carpet. Got a window washer to clean the windows. Spruced up the backyard and then did a thorough interior cleaning from top to bottom. </p> <p>It was worth it. Our house sold for $20K over asking in less than one week. There was another house identical to ours in the same neighborhood and it was a mess. That one took 3+ weeks to sell and is still pending. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast/page/2#post-785623 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:56:21 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 785623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: Depersonalization is a great suggestion. We took most of our photos down and kept up our more generic art and stuff. The people who bought the house from us basically wanted to buy the whole lifestyle. They asked for inclusion of our art, decorations an some furniture (we said no to most of it!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast/page/2#post-785590 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:49:01 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 785590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I have a cleaning lady come every 2 weeks and I have two giant dogs. She has no problem coming in, cleaning and leaving w/ them. We leave treats for her to give them each time she comes. ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast/page/2#post-785553 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:39:33 +0000 MrsBrewer 785553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsTiz: LOL!!! I feel bad posting it all the time, but for 1 it's awesome....and I wanted to show the color of our walls and this is the only picture where you can really see it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast/page/2#post-785545 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:38:50 +0000 BelugaBean 785545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with decluttering and making it smell good. When we were looking for houses, we walked into one that immediately smelled like it had been smoked in for 30 years and was very cluttered. I can't tell you much about the rest of the house because my mind immediately shut down when we walked in. </p> <p>Paint color doesn't bother me, in the houses we looked at, we realized we could paint pretty easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785530 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:35:56 +0000 MrsTiz 785530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: &lt;333 favorite picture ever haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785514 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:32:06 +0000 MrsBrewer 785514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NaturallyCathy: you can kind of see the color of the kitchen in this picture. </p> [attach=1855/13/mmwb1j.448x600.color.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785452 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:22:01 +0000 littlek 785452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I think they pick it up as soon as you are done loading it. So, it wouldn't stay on your property. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785443 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:20:10 +0000 JerricaBenton 785443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Nice hardwood floors were a major selling point to me! Also you may be able to get away with just a new coat of polyurethane if it doesn't need sanding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785441 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:20:02 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 785441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I wouldn't worry too much about the kitchen since you obviously put so much effort into it. If for some reason you weren't having to move, you'd have painted it for nothing. However, be mindful of the comments of the people coming into the house and your/their realtor's feedback. If they say the kitchen is what turned them off, perhaps tone it down. Until then, just make sure you don't have like... puce with teal. That sort of thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785427 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:17:12 +0000 MrsBrewer 785427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: A POD would be a great idea.....buuttt we have a very small lot. Like no extra land what so ever...</p> <p>@JerricaBenton: We don't have that many photos up to begin with, (we just moved there last year!!) So I think i would keep up the few that I have, they are just our wedding photos</p> <p>@JerricaBenton: We do have carpet everywhere. I have been really thinking about ripping it up though for a while! Maybe this is the push we need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785421 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:14:42 +0000 JerricaBenton 785421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would declutter as others said. I kind of disagree on family photos. I think a few are nice. When we were buying our house, I liked seeing the nice family that lived there, how they used the space, etc. If you have carpets I would consider ripping them up if you have hard wood underneath. I hate to think of living on other people's carpet. And make it smell nice! Simmer apple cider with cloves on the stove! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785420 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:14:14 +0000 littlek 785420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Why don't your rent one of those PODS? They drop it off at your house and you can pack things up. </p> <p>Do you have the litter boxes in one area? i would just make sure it's very clean and there is no strong kitty odor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785414 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:13:26 +0000 MrsBrewer 785414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: We have a pretty large basement actually! I think we could put stuff down there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785411 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:12:48 +0000 MrsBrewer 785411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlek: Not really unfortuntely. Our dog is still a puppy, and very demanding....no one would let him stay there :-( but our cats actually I don't think would be a problem because they just hide under beds whenever anyone is there.</p> <p>Eek, what about litter boxes?! Where do I hide them?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785408 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:12:01 +0000 littlek 785408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: That's a great idea!! We did the same thing. The realtor was able to tell us where it was smart to put some money in, and were we could find work arounds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785405 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:11:17 +0000 winniebee 785405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: we don't hvae basement storage. so, i packed up some stuff and gave it to my mom to store at her house. the other stuff i put in our SUV ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785404 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:11:11 +0000 littlek 785404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Do you have any family that your pets can stay with? It's a pain, but its much easier to show a house without pets. When I sold my condo, my dog went to live with my parents for a few weeks. People are weird about animals. If you have pets, I definitely recommend getting your carpet professionally cleaned to eliminate any odors that may exist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785400 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:09:57 +0000 MrsBrewer 785400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: So where do you put everything that you take out of closets? Just pack it up early basically? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785384 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:06:37 +0000 winniebee 785384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I forgot about photos - we packed up so many pictures for our open houses. Also took stuff out of our closets. Take away extra decorations - throw blankets, too many throw pillows, too many bed pillows, etc. Take extra coats out of closet. You name it, we took it away! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785377 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:05:04 +0000 winniebee 785377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Oh no I think it's fine if the kitties are there. Honestly having cleaners is the best money we spend! I didn't need to give them that much, either, but I wanted to make sure it was sparkling! I think they spend 2 hrs there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785371 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:03:31 +0000 mrs. wagon 785371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: our cleaning crew charged $250 for a monthly cleaning. Our place is 1900 sq feet. We opted for more expensive monthly cleanings since the cleaning disrupts the house a bit. It doesn't include several things like the fridge, etc. But if it's the first time for a crew to come to your house it might be a bit more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785368 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:02:45 +0000 littlek 785368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stage it! In the kitchen, clear the top of everything besides maybe 1 appliance (ex: coffee maker). Start packing away stuff in boxes, you want your house to look like there is plenty of storage room, so you don't want closets filled to the brim with stuff. Put away anything personal (like pictures) and neutralize rooms. Try and make bedrooms look like a hotel room. Clean, clean, clean! Also make sure that all your lightbulbs are working. Oh, and don't forget curb appeal!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785361 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:01:45 +0000 MrsBrewer 785361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: Thanks for giving amounts! That's not bad at all! Plus I'm sure they are WAY more efficient than I am! How long are they in the house for? I have a dog and 2 cats too, I would be able to keep the dog out, but the cats would still be in the house...think that would be an issue? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785352 Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:17 +0000 winniebee 785352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: We have cleaning ladies come every other week - they do a good job. It's $80 per visit and our condo is 2+ bedroom and 1100 sft. For the pre-open house visit I gave them $120 and asked them to really make sure everything was perfect, wash all windows, etc. We live in Boston. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785342 Thu, 16 May 2013 08:58:15 +0000 MrsBrewer 785342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much would it cost to have someone come in and deep clean?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785331 Thu, 16 May 2013 08:56:36 +0000 MrsBrewer 785331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all of these ideas! Kepp them coming!</p> <p>I'm nervous because our area isn't in "high demand" Buutt....our house is appraised at much higher than we intend to sell </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785323 Thu, 16 May 2013 08:54:57 +0000 Bluebonnet 785323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A good price and great pictures will get people in the door. </p> <p>Declutter, depersonalize, and clean! Make it easy for people to visualize themselves in your house.</p> <p>Also make sure your house has curb appeal - plant new flowers, mulch flower beds, make sure your lawn is well maintained, etc. </p> <p>If you have any projects that you need to complete (minor repairs, cosmetic issues, etc, take care of that ASAP)! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785321 Thu, 16 May 2013 08:54:45 +0000 winniebee 785321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I should add that I had our cleaning ladies spend extra time cleaning the day before our first open house. </p> <p>We had a weekend of open houses and 4 offers the next day. But, it's a seller's market here.</p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Agree that it was such a PIA hiding baby clutter every day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-selling-a-housefast#post-785317 Thu, 16 May 2013 08:53:39 +0000 avivoca 785317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Clean, clean, clean! I've never sold a house, but as a recent buyer, dirty and cluttered houses turned me off. It was hard for me to see past other people's stuff if the house was super dirty or cluttered. Also, if you have dogs, make sure you pick up the poop in the yard. Nothing is worse than having dog poop on your shoe and seeing it all over the yard. </p>