Yikes - We're Moving!
If you are thinking about selling your home, chances are you're caught up in a mass of emotions. You may be looking forward to moving up to a new home or facing the uncertainty of a major move across country. You may be reluctant to leave your memories behind or eager to start new and exciting adventures. Either way, whatever the circumstance, I'm here to help you navigate through all of the steps - reach out - anytime.
Everyone knows that a "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. And a "well-cared" for home speaks to them sometimes even before they step foot in the door as if to say ... "if I can SEE the home is maintained, what I can't SEE is most probably maintained too".
As part of my service, I take time to walk with you throughout your property, inside and out, to discuss the ways to maximize your equity, without emptying your wallet preparing to sell.
In readying your house for sale, here are a few points to consider:
- How Much You Should Spend
- The Exterior "Curb Appeal"
- Preparing the Interior
1. How Much Should You Spend
In preparing your home for the market, the goal is to 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.
2. The Exterior "Curb Appeal"
Preparing the exterior (curb appeal) of your home for sale is probably the most important step you can take. If you can't get them through the front door, you can't get them to buy. If they don't like what they see when they drive up, you lost a potential buyer.
- 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
- 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
- Store RVs or old and beaten up teens' jalopies elsewhere while the house is on the market
- Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door
3. Preparing the Interior
Inside, it's all about what should be changed, what should be cleared out (put in storage & tossed), and what should be emphasized. You have a potential buyers interest if you got them inside to look around... don't lose them now.
- 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.
- Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
