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Real Estate Guides Home Seller's Guide Preparing Your Home to Sell
Real Estate Guides Home Seller's Guide Preparing Your Home to Sell
Last Updated on Monday, 07 April 2008 22:27 Written by Administrator Thursday, 29 November 2007 12:13
A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well-maintained. From experience, REALTORS® also know that a "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price . Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained.
In readying your house for sale, consider:
H In readying your house for sale, consider:
 | How Much You Should Spend |
| The Exterior "Curb Appeal" |
| Preparing the Interior |
| The Preparation Check List |
In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Your REALTOR®, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood, can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made.
Don't hesitate to ask for advice .
Don't hesitate to ask for advice .
Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal.
Enhance your home's exterior and curb appeal by:
Enhance your home's exterior and curb appeal by:
 | Keeping the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly; |
| Trimming hedges, weeding lawns and flowerbeds, and pruning trees regularly; |
| Checking the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling; |
| Inspecting doors and windows for peeling paint; |
| Cleaning and aligning gutters; |
| Inspecting and cleaning the chimney; |
| Repairing and replacing loose or damaged roof shingles; |
| Repairing and repainting loose siding and caulking; |
| In Northern winters, keeping walks neatly cleared of snow and ice; |
| During spring and summer months considering adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance; |
| Re-sealing an asphalt driveway; |
| Keeping your garage door closed; |
| Storing RVs or old and beaten up teens' jalopies elsewhere while the house is on the market; and |
| Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door. |
Enhance your home's interior by:
< | Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look. |
| Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere. |
| Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea. |
| If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum. |
| Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement. |
| Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles. |
| Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. |
| Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems. |
| Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. |
| Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way. |
| Re-sealing an asphalt driveway; |
Often, while waiting to be let in, the first thing a buyer looks at closely is the front door.
| Put new paint on the front door. |
| Buy a new door mat. |
| Buyers take a close look at the basement of a home. They will look for bad wiring, leaky pipes and signs of decay. |
| Clean out basement and dispose of everything you are not going to move. |
| Ensure that there is plenty of lighting. |
| Sweep or vacuum floor. |
| Stack items neatly against walls. |
The kitchen is often the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive.
| Put a vase of fresh flowers on the table. |
| Buy a new door mat. |
| Replace curtains or clean existing ones. |
| Remove appliances from counters. |
| Create a pleasant fragrance in the kitchen (i.e. vanilla, cinnamon). |
It is important that bathrooms are clean, bright and smell fresh.
| Install a new shower curtain and replace worn throw rugs. |
| Polish all fixtures. |
| Open windows. |
| Hang bright, fresh towels. |
| Remove stains from toilets and bathtubs. |
| Use air freshener. |
| Display colorful soaps. |
The living room
| Clean out the fireplace and place logs in it. |
| Polish all woodwork. |
| Put big furniture in storage so rooms are not cluttered or crowded. |
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In every transaction there is usually a request for repairs given to the seller by the buyer. The work order is usually backed up by a third party inspection report. The following is a list of some possible work orders. The work orders must be completed prior to closing and the seller is responsible for having them done. Check with your local authorities for specific requirements. 
A plan is something that most people over look when going into a new home purchase and if you don’t have one it could cost you lots and lots of money. A good REALTOR® will be able to help you with your plan. The biggest issue with your plan is TIME.