We’ll discuss some tips that can
save you a lot of money and speed up the amount of time your home is on the
market, please see my contact information at the end of this article.
A common mistake people make is to
spend a lot of money – renovations, new roof, remodeling. While buyers will be
impressed with these things, spending $5000 on remodeling will not add $5000 to
your sale. Spend as little money as possible, and spend it on cosmetic, readily
seen features like interior painting. The time to remodel is when you plan to
stay in the house, not when you’re going to sell.
If you think about everything that
needs to be done to sell your house, you might throw your hands up in despair,
or at least feel some anxiety. Take one step at a time, one small task at a
time. Break it down to manageable-sized chores and you’ll have better results.
First things first – have a garage
sale. Whatever doesn’t sell needs to be set out for a Disabled American
Veterans or Association of Retarded Citizens pickup. Once the clutter is
cleared away, it will be easier to see what needs to be done.
This is your first impression, so it
had better be a good one.
Edge, mow and fertilize the lawn
regularly. Make sure it’s well watered and reseed any sparse areas.
Put a bright coat of paint on your
mailbox.
Trim hedges weed lawns and
flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly. Cut back overgrown shrubbery that looks
scraggly or keeps light out of the house.
Buy a new welcome mat.
Check the foundation, steps, walkways,
walls and patios for cracks and crumbling, and reseal if possible.
If you have siding or brick,
power-wash it. If you have a painted exterior, consider repainting in a neutral
shade. This is especially important if there is any peeling.
Make sure the porch light works.
Clean and align gutters and
downspouts.
Inspect and clean the chimney.
If the doorbell doesn’t work,
repair or replace it.
Repair and replace loose or
damaged roof shingles.
Repair and repaint loose siding
and caulking.
Remove oil stains from driveway
and garage.
If you’re selling in the winter,
keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice. Otherwise, keep the walks and
driveway swept.
Repair broken outdoor steps.
Spring for some brightly colored
potted outdoor flower arrangements for the front yard near the entrance.
Keep your garage door closed.
Wash the windows inside and out.
Store RVs, boats and extra
vehicles (anything that can’t be parked in the garage) elsewhere while the
house is on the market.
Paint the front door.
If prospective buyers walk into your
house greeted by the smell of cat litter, cigarette smoke, mildew or pet
accidents, there is little chance that even a reduced sales price will persuade
them to buy. So, the first thing to do:
Clean, clean, clean. This includes
walls, floors, inside closets and cabinets – everything. If you must, hire a
cleaning service to come in and do the job.
Get rid of clutter. Put away
appliances you normally leave on countertops. This alone will make your house
appear bigger and brighter. Clean out your closets, garage, basement and attic.
Paint the walls and ceilings a
neutral color – off white or beige.
Repair cracks, holes and damage to
plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
Replace broken or cracked
windowpanes, moldings and other woodwork.
Repair dripping faucets and
showerheads.
Buy new cabinet knobs and curtains
for the kitchen.
Shampoo all carpets, scrub and wax
linoleum, wash and wax wood floors.
Unclog slowly draining sinks and
tubs.
Clean out the fireplace and lay
some logs in it.
Mend torn screens. Clean out all
window tracks.
Check to see that all windows will
open and close.
Replace burned-out light bulbs.
Use brighter light bulbs.
Make sure every light switch
works.
Nail down any creaking boards or
stair treads (drive two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the
floor and sub-floor into the joist).
Lubricate any squeaking doors
Remove excess, worn or
unattractive furniture.
Thoroughly clean all appliances
(especially refrigerator and oven).
Replace old toilet seats and
shower curtains.
Clear all cobwebs from corners and
doorways.
Wash all light switches, handrails
and doorknobs.
On Showing Days
Keep draperies and shades open to
let in the light.
Place fresh flowers throughout the
house.
Have your home well-lit during
showing.
A
t night, turn on porch light and
outdoor lighting in back if you have it.
Set out colorful, luxurious towels
in the bathroom.
Avoid having dirty dishes in the
sink or on counters.
Keep any toys in the children’s
rooms, bikes, wagons and skateboards in the garage.
Play pleasant music at low volume.
Spend the day of an open house
away from home.
Leave pets outdoors.
Unless you’re selling it yourself,
let the agent show your house, and don’t tag along.
Repairs that matter
Making sure your home is clean and aesthetically appealing is only half the battle. You also have to ensure that your systems are in working order and that your home is safe and ready for its next family. A few things to fix before the “For sale” sign is in the yard are:
● Creaky floors. Creaky floors are a great indicator of an older home. While some squeaks are expected, quiet down your noisy hardwood by using wooden shims or special repair kits made for the job.
● Missing hardware. While you might not notice a missing handle on that kitchen drawer you never use, buyers will. Make sure that the hardware throughout your home is intact, functional, and matching.
● Visible exterior damage. Damage to the roof, windows, walkway, or yard will be immediately noticeable and can take away from curb appeal. Fix visible issues so that your buyers don’t get turned off before they ever make it into the house. Finding a reliable and insured pro is simplified thanks to online service directories; just use a search engine and read up on customer reviews to get started.
You don’t have to change the entire layout of your home to make it appealing to buyers. But, a few quick projects, such as adding custom wallpaper and fixing noisy floors, will go a long way toward making the property stand out. Although we are still in a seller’s market, you don’t want to get lax about home repairs and renovations. For everything you’re not willing to do, the next seller is. Tackle the list above for a quick and easy sale.
Have a Wonderful Day!
Antonio Ortega LLC Licensed Real Estate Professional
Text or Call 954-648-6095
Global Luxury Realty, LLC
Click Here to Contact Us
