Prepping For A Move

So you may have missed the news, but we are prepping for a move. We are open to God's plan, open to what He has in store for us next. We have always wanted land, I mean if you have been here from the beginning, that's what started it all...and well, local land came up. And we are taking a leap to see what that all means and what is next for the Petrone Fam. This would mean we list our home, build on the new land AND invest in more business property. There are a lot of little things that need to happen, but we are just rolling with it. But first thing's first, let's get this house ready to put on the market!

These 'preppin' for a move' tips can also be just a guideline for a good clean out, deep clean sesh. I promise, afterwards you feel more free and less bogged down - it's an amazing feeling!

Breaking these out by phases, and here is Phase One:

• Clean out. You’re moving so let’s start acting like it. If you’re not then let’s just pretend… I love to ask myself “would I want to store this or pay to move this?” It helps me decide how important something is. 
• And then there is just...Clean. No one wants to see your dust bunnies, stains on your walls, hand prints or anything else lurking from your life lived in that home. People want to feel like this is their new home… turn key with little to no work being done. So deep cleaning is key. When people walk through your home, you bet your bottom they’re opening up cupboards and drawers too. Wipe things down. It’s even not a bad idea to lay down some fresh contact paper or rubber lining in some drawers!  

Some major spots to check:

- On top of ceiling fans

- Under the kitchen sink. Give it a fresh coat of paint or add some liner to it.

- Baseboards: clean them and even touch up the paint. This goes along way and gives it that “new house” vibe. 

- Air vents + intake vents. Wipe them down. 

- Showers + tile. Clean that grout + even consider buying a grout pen (link to Amazon) to really freshen up the grout lines. 

- Wipe down the inside of the fridge. This is so much more important than you even think it is!

- Clean windows or any glass doors that people would see finger prints on. 

- Magic eraser. This is your best friend! Any scuff, marks or handprints on door jams, doors + walls, this will remove it. They end up disintegrating so buy a few. They’re literally magic though, and key step before u do any touch up painting. 

- The front door can be a place that goes 'unnoticed' but give it a good wipe down or a touch up since they are going to be walking into their new home through it [ lol !! ]

• Paint: no need to repaint the whole house, although if you’re looking to get top dollar on a home and it needs it… it’s not a bad idea. People need to be able to envision their family inside of your space. So the more you can do to appeal to the masses the better. If your walls are bright red and old looking, it’s not a bad idea to pick a neutral color. The only time that I think this doesn’t apply is if your house and style is extremely unique. Meaning it’s designed well and your unique design will appeal to people because it’s so different. (Honestly though this is kinda rare). If you’re not painting all of your walls and just need to touch up, hopefully you have some left over paint in the garage. If not, take a razor blade and scrape off a tiny piece of your wall paint from a non visible area ( like behind a door or by the baseboard) take that chip into Home Depot and get a color match for your walls. Boom, you can do this! Consider painting your front door. This is the first thing people are gonna see. If it’s old or dull, give it a fresh coat. It’s all about first impressions!
• Declutter: this is after the cleaning out and the painting. Now you’re getting your home ready to show. I know everyone thinks that have the best style + the cutest kids, but again we are trying to appeal to the masses. What we’re going for is clean, designed, but breathing room for people to see themselves there. So it’s best to put away personal items. You also don’t need every chochkie out on the counter. Clean counters, clean bed side tables (a real plant and a lamp, even a book is perfect). Simplify and put away most of the family photos. Again, allow them to envision themselves there, not little Foxi.
• Lighting: if you have old lighting, it’s a small investment to update these. Key areas to consider are the kitchen and dining room table, over the sink, bathrooms, entry lighting, exterior sconces, bedrooms. It’s a simple switch but can transform a home completely. No need to break the bank: Amazon, Overstock, Wayfair all have awesome options. Consider your home type and style and go from there… and try to stay on the same theme. Matte black, brushed brass, basket lights and texture… those all go well together. 
• Faucets + fixtures: again not an overly experience cost here but can be a game changer. If you have old faucets and door handles, this is a huge way to update your home without spending a lot. Consider these Kwikset Pismo Knobs. And updating old faucets and shower heads in bathrooms are a great way to elevate your bathrooms without redoing tile + all that other crazy stuff. And this is one of my very favorite faucets. Just keep it simple, the outcome is so good.

The whole point is to make people feel like they don’t have to do a bunch of stuff when they move in. But the reality of it is, you don’t know exactly what your specific buyer is gonna like, so if you’re not wanting to spend a lot of money but want to make people feel calm + that the home is move in ready, these few things can achieve that. If you have bathrooms or kitchens that are very old, then it may be good to consider a complete update. (New tile, paint, vanities). You can do it for a low investment and it’ll pay off. So it just depends on your home + how old it is. 

• Plants: some fresh plants by your front porch and in your backyard add such a clean touch. First impressions are everything, so right when people enter needs to be fresh and clean. Whether they’re in pots or planted, invest in some fresh flowers + fresh mulch if you have it. 
• Power wash your porch. Again with the first impressions. If your brick or pavers or wood deck is dirty… give it a quick spray, it makes a world of difference.
• Tidy up anything in your yard and make sure it has immediate 'curb appeal'
• This goes without saying, but no one wants to see the donations or trash you may have accumulated during this clean-up so dispose of any access garbage

Other small updates that are good to check over. If these things are super old/broken… replace them. Easy Peasy!

• Mailbox 
• Screens
• Doors
• Any minor cabinet hardware or broken hardware throughout that stands out.

Lastly, stage some furniture. Borrow some from a friend, pick up something on Facebook Marketplace or Home Goods. You don’t want to over fill or over clutter, but If you’re missing pieces to a room that is a specific purpose, people sometimes have a hard time imaging what the room is or could be. So help them out. If you have an empty room, maybe grab a cute desk and chair with a little rug under it. A fresh plant on the table (also fresh… no fake plants). And now someone can walk into the room and they can imagine this as their office, or at least it gets the mind moving… “this could be used as an office or our futures babies room..” 

The goal is to not overwhelm, but stand out. Be clean, but have livability and character. To appeal to the majority of buyers, yet have an independent personality where people can't leave without owning. your. home. Happy selling!

Stay tuned for Phase Two + follow along for the shennanagins we are able to get ourselves into!