Getting Ready to Sell
If you start with a plan, you can organize what needs to be done, and figure out
how much time and money you will need to get the job done. Your plan should
be built with advice from a real estate professional, who has the experience to
know what improvements will maximize your home’s attractiveness to potential
buyers. Your real estate professional will show you how to see your home
through the eyes of the buyer. You must be able to step back and see it as a
‘home for sale’!
Once your plan is set, put it in writing in the form of a ‘to-do’ checklist. Pay
attention to details, inside and out. Small touches will pay big dividends at the
time of sale.
Maximize Curb Appeal
Be aware of the first impression your home makes. Positive first impressions
often create immediate sales. Look at your home critically and catalog all the
repairs and cleaning that need to be done before your home is to be shown.
Repair things that are broken. Buyers tend to think repairs cost more than they
really do. If you think something is too much trouble to fix, then buyer will
probably feel the same way and may be turned off.
Start on the outside. After all, that is where the buyer begins and that’s where
every buyer’s first impressions are made. See your home from the street as the
prospective buyer will, driving up to your home in the Realtors car. What do you
see? Does your home look really inviting? Does it look tidy, neat and clean?
Would you want to get out of that car and run right in because you can “see”
yourself and your family in this home?
Ask Yourself These Questions
All of the above influence the buyer’s attitude, both positively and negatively,
before entering a home. Pay attention to these outside details and you’ll help
prospective buyers to enter with a desire to buy.
Preparing Your House for Sale
Storage
One of the first things a buyer looks at in a home is the storage it offers. A
general rule of thumb for sellers is to take out half of what's in the closets and
storage areas to make them look more spacious. Take advantage of the fact that
you're preparing to move. This might be the right time to throw out, donate, sell,
or store things you no longer want. Remove excess furniture, even if only
temporarily, to make rooms seem as spacious as possible.
Storage areas in your basement, attic or garage often end up as catchalls. Make
sure these areas are well-organized and give prospective buyers the
impression that there is room for all of their belongings. Don't let a perceived
lack of closet and storage space become an objection for a prospective buyer.
Kitchen
Ask home buyers what area or room of the home they consider most important,
and chances are they'll say the kitchen. When prospective buyers look at your
kitchen, they will pay particular attention to its cleanliness, layout, and storage
capacity. If major appliances are being sold with the home, make sure they are
spotless, odor-free, and in good working condition. Polish chrome surfaces. Fix
any leaky faucets, loose cabinet hardware, drawer handles, and outdated or
inefficient light fixtures. Make more efficient use of drawers and cabinets with
dividers and cutlery
Walls
Repair any cracks or holes in the walls and ceiling, and repaint if necessary.
Strip outdated wallpaper.
Windows
Clean interior and exterior windows and screens. Repair cracked panes, torn
screens, broken sashes and ropes or cords as well. When your home is being
shown, open your curtains to let daylight in, especially if the view is noteworthy.
While you're at it, wash all the mirrors in the house too. Launder or dry-clean
curtains and drapes.
Floors
Carpeting has a major impact on the look of a home. Vacuum thoroughly or have
it steam-cleaned. If the carpet is badly worn, outdated or stained, consider
having it replaced, despite the expense. Pull up any carpeting that is outdated
or worn. Check wood floors to see if they need to be refinished. Scrub and wax
tile floors, and repair or replace cracked tiles.
Lighting
Make sure light fixtures, switches, switch plates, and outlet covers are clean
and in good working order.
Paint
It's true that first impressions are often lasting. So take a good look at the paint
on the outside of your house. Is it cracking, peeling or chipping? If it is, a fresh
coat for your exterior may cost you a bit of time and money but may elevate your
home from "fixer-upper" to "move-in condition." If you decide your home needs
painting, choose colors that are appropriate for the style of your home and that
blend in well with your neighborhood.
Roof
Buyers will pay close attention to the condition of your roof. Re-patch or re-
shingle where necessary, and fix leaky, corroded downspouts and gutters.
Inside, a watermarked ceiling is a sign to buyers that the roof has leaked – even
if the damage has been repaired.
Entry
A neat and clean entryway creates a positive first impression. A freshly-painted
door and trim with sturdy hardware add a welcome touch. Replace faded house
numbers with new ones. Make sure the doorbell is in working order.
If you start with a plan, you can organize what needs to be done, and figure out
how much time and money you will need to get the job done. Your plan should
be built with advice from a real estate professional, who has the experience to
know what improvements will maximize your home’s attractiveness to potential
buyers. Your real estate professional will show you how to see your home
through the eyes of the buyer. You must be able to step back and see it as a
‘home for sale’!
Once your plan is set, put it in writing in the form of a ‘to-do’ checklist. Pay
attention to details, inside and out. Small touches will pay big dividends at the
time of sale.
Maximize Curb Appeal
Be aware of the first impression your home makes. Positive first impressions
often create immediate sales. Look at your home critically and catalog all the
repairs and cleaning that need to be done before your home is to be shown.
Repair things that are broken. Buyers tend to think repairs cost more than they
really do. If you think something is too much trouble to fix, then buyer will
probably feel the same way and may be turned off.
Start on the outside. After all, that is where the buyer begins and that’s where
every buyer’s first impressions are made. See your home from the street as the
prospective buyer will, driving up to your home in the Realtors car. What do you
see? Does your home look really inviting? Does it look tidy, neat and clean?
Would you want to get out of that car and run right in because you can “see”
yourself and your family in this home?
Ask Yourself These Questions
- Does my lawn and yard both appear to be in good condition, neat, and well
trimmed? - Is there any evidence of pet toys, children’s toys, bikes, or tools on the
walk or front yard? - Are there any shrubs, bushes, or trees touching the house?
- Are the driveway, front walk, and front porch clean and tidy?
- Is the front door freshly painted with a working doorbell and a polished
brass lock set? - Are the storm windows and screens clean?
All of the above influence the buyer’s attitude, both positively and negatively,
before entering a home. Pay attention to these outside details and you’ll help
prospective buyers to enter with a desire to buy.
Preparing Your House for Sale
- Clean everything thoroughly. Ask a friend to help you assess your efforts –
especially in sensitive areas such as odor removal. - Put out clean towels, new soap, a nice tablecloth, and fresh flowers.
- Don't be at home during a showing or open house. Your absence will put
buyers at ease so they'll feel free to linger and ask questions. - Don't apologize for the condition of your home.
- Make sure kids and pets are out of the house.
- Eliminate clutter from all areas of your home to create an impression of
spaciousness and plentiful storage space. - Nothing makes a home look new more quickly than a fresh coat of paint.
Use neutral colors such as beige, white, off-white and gray.
Storage
One of the first things a buyer looks at in a home is the storage it offers. A
general rule of thumb for sellers is to take out half of what's in the closets and
storage areas to make them look more spacious. Take advantage of the fact that
you're preparing to move. This might be the right time to throw out, donate, sell,
or store things you no longer want. Remove excess furniture, even if only
temporarily, to make rooms seem as spacious as possible.
Storage areas in your basement, attic or garage often end up as catchalls. Make
sure these areas are well-organized and give prospective buyers the
impression that there is room for all of their belongings. Don't let a perceived
lack of closet and storage space become an objection for a prospective buyer.
Kitchen
Ask home buyers what area or room of the home they consider most important,
and chances are they'll say the kitchen. When prospective buyers look at your
kitchen, they will pay particular attention to its cleanliness, layout, and storage
capacity. If major appliances are being sold with the home, make sure they are
spotless, odor-free, and in good working condition. Polish chrome surfaces. Fix
any leaky faucets, loose cabinet hardware, drawer handles, and outdated or
inefficient light fixtures. Make more efficient use of drawers and cabinets with
dividers and cutlery
Walls
Repair any cracks or holes in the walls and ceiling, and repaint if necessary.
Strip outdated wallpaper.
Windows
Clean interior and exterior windows and screens. Repair cracked panes, torn
screens, broken sashes and ropes or cords as well. When your home is being
shown, open your curtains to let daylight in, especially if the view is noteworthy.
While you're at it, wash all the mirrors in the house too. Launder or dry-clean
curtains and drapes.
Floors
Carpeting has a major impact on the look of a home. Vacuum thoroughly or have
it steam-cleaned. If the carpet is badly worn, outdated or stained, consider
having it replaced, despite the expense. Pull up any carpeting that is outdated
or worn. Check wood floors to see if they need to be refinished. Scrub and wax
tile floors, and repair or replace cracked tiles.
Lighting
Make sure light fixtures, switches, switch plates, and outlet covers are clean
and in good working order.
Paint
It's true that first impressions are often lasting. So take a good look at the paint
on the outside of your house. Is it cracking, peeling or chipping? If it is, a fresh
coat for your exterior may cost you a bit of time and money but may elevate your
home from "fixer-upper" to "move-in condition." If you decide your home needs
painting, choose colors that are appropriate for the style of your home and that
blend in well with your neighborhood.
Roof
Buyers will pay close attention to the condition of your roof. Re-patch or re-
shingle where necessary, and fix leaky, corroded downspouts and gutters.
Inside, a watermarked ceiling is a sign to buyers that the roof has leaked – even
if the damage has been repaired.
Entry
A neat and clean entryway creates a positive first impression. A freshly-painted
door and trim with sturdy hardware add a welcome touch. Replace faded house
numbers with new ones. Make sure the doorbell is in working order.
| Seller Tips |
| Freedom Real Estate Services, LLC 812-282-SOLD 440 Spring St. STE A Jeffersonville, IN 47130 Copyright © 2007 All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. |
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