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Selling Tips:
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You never get a second chance to make a first impression – The “curb appeal” that your home offers a prospective buyer is extremely important. Begin with your lawn: fertilize if necessary, keep it neat and trim, and always remove ice and snow from steps and sidewalks during the winter. Take a close look as you walk the property. Clean anything that looks un-kept or dirty; repair or replace anything that looks loose, dingy, rusted or broken. If woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Prospects would rather see how your home really looks than hear how great it could look with a little work. Make sure the door bell works. Replace a tired-looking mail box; clean the exterior light fixtures and wash the windows. Try to spot hanging or rusty gutters, crooked antenna, loose shingles or shutters. If you have decided that certain fixtures are not to be included in the sale of your house, (custom lighting fixtures, for example) remove and replace them before buyers are shown the house.
THE YARD: Turn and weed the beds; trim the trees and shrubs. Lay in ground cover. Mend the fence, fix the gate latch, pick-up litter. Consider landscaping/lawn service.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE: Examine and spot paint your outdoor furniture. If it’s rusty or not repairable consider disposing of the pieces.
FRONT ENTRY: Your front door is a welcoming sign to prospective buyers - Make sure it is clean, and paint it if necessary. A seasonal decoration, such as a wreath, adds an inviting touch. It’s the first thing your buyers see as they stand and wait for the door to open. A freshly painted or at least freshly scrubbed front entry will be worth the extra effort. Spruce it up.
THE GARAGE: The time has come. Discard virtually everything in the garage that hasn’t been used for a year. Wash it down.
SHOWING APPOINTMENTS: When an agent makes an appointment to show your home try and be sure that all family members are out of the house at the time of the showing. People are much more likely to picture themselves in your house if you are not in it.
Walk the property with a pad & pencil. List anything that you think is less than satisfactory without regard to cost or time. You can review the list afterwards to determine what you can and can’t repair
CLEAN! CLEAN! Have the carpet shampooed; wax the floors, wash the walls, windows, blinds, drapes and lighting fixtures. Consider engaging a cleaning service, recognizing that it is a justified moving expense.
KITCHEN & BATHROOMS: Clear off counter tops. Leave your canisters and little else. Maximize the available counter space. These rooms should be gleaming. If unsightly, have the tub re-caulked and remove mineral deposits and grime from the shower walls. Display your best towels, mats and shower curtains. Clean the stove, microwave and refrigerator. Many buyers judge housekeeping based on their condition. Clean the interior of your dishwasher, removing stains, especially on the door. Clean out your kitchen cabinets, packing away unnecessary items. Countertops should be clean and free of clutter, as well.
PRIMARY STORAGE AREA: Like the garage, its time has come to be liberated. Remember, you can benefit with a more attractive home on the market, or you can do it several months from now, in the process of moving when there is no advantage. Do it now.
REPAIRS: Wear and tear makes buyers uneasy - Minor imperfections that we often overlook in our own homes tend to turn prospective buyers off, because they overestimate the cost of repairs. Faded and scraped walls, as well as any scratched woodwork, should be restored to good condition. A little paint and furniture polish can go a long way in increasing the appeal of your home. Identify and repair dripping faucets, sticking or creaking doors, etc. When people see area of disrepair they begin to wonder whether there may be other unseen problems.
CLOSETS: Remove out of season clothing. Organize your clothing and the shoes on the floor. Remove all clutter from cabinets and closets.
FURNITURE: The less furniture, the larger a room appears to be.
CLUTTER: Buyers have a hard time looking past clutter. By removing items that you seldom use, you let people see the space your home has to offer. Items such as newspapers and toys should be put away, and stairways should be clean and free of clutter as well.
A LIGHT APPEARANCE: As a rule, do everything to lighten the appearance of the home. Raise the blinds, open drapes, change burned out light bulbs and use light colors. Repaint any room beginning to look shabby.
PETS: Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everyone a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside or at least out of the way.
STAGING YOUR HOME: Ask us about Staging your home. We can show you how to increase your home’s sales appeal.
…We have 5 simple and powerful goals:
- Help you get your property SOLD.
- Help you get where you want to go ON TIME.
- Make the process as easy as possible for you.
- Put you in the best possible negotiation position.
- Eliminate as many surprises as possible during the process.
Contact us for more info
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