Are you getting ready to sell your home?  Where do you start?  What should you do to get your home show-ready?

From experience, realtors 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 the following:

• How much should you spend to get your home ready to market?
• Does your home have curb appeal?
• What needs to be done to prepare the interior?

How much should you spend to get your home ready to market?
In preparing your home for the market, spend wisely. It doesn't have to take a lot of money. Buyers will be impressed by and will appreciate a 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.

Does your home have curb appeal?
Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and spend your money wisely) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal. Here are some tips to enhance your home’s exterior and curb appeal:

• Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.
• Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.
• Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
• Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint.
• Clean and align gutters.
• Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
• Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
• In Northern winters, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice.
• During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance. Flowers are a great way to bring a "smile" to your front entrance!
• Re-seal a cracked and damaged asphalt driveway.
• Keep your garage door closed.
• Store RVs or old and beaten up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

What needs to be done to prepare the interior?
Here are some ideas to enhance your home’s interior:

• Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning. It is important to remove the clutter, so buyers can see the home (not your "stuff"). This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms find it helpful to rent storage garages and move our extra furniture and belongings (including those from the garage), thereby creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
• Hire 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.
• Remove 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, repaint 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.
• Check for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.
• Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
• Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspect and repair the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.
• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads. Buy showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.
• Spruce up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.

Real Estate Reports Search Engine

Select your search criteria All Words Exact Phrase Any Words