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Getting the
House Ready
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.
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In readying
your house for sale, consider:
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How
Much Should You Spend
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.
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Maximizing
Exterior and Curb Appeal
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:
- 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.
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 Maximizing
Interior Appeal
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.
- Sprucing
up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in
new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
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