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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, REALTORSŪ 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:
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 REALTORŪ,
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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