Just a Thought February 18, 2015

GUIDE TO SELLING YOUR HOME

Preparing your house for sale:


A clean, neat home in need of few or no repairs will sell faster and at a higher price than one that is showing wear and tear. To give your home its best possible presentation, perform a mini-makeover or have your home professionally staged before it’s shown to potential buyers. With my background in design and space planning, I can help you achieve this goal by doing a final walk through with you to make sure no details have been overlooked. Here’s a list of tips that will help you make your home more attractive. Some of the items below will be part of a buyer’s inspection & may need to be repaired or replaced as part of the transaction.

Buyers well see many homes for sale; putting your best foot forward helps you stand out against your competition. The main theme here is repair, de-clutter, clean and freshen-up your home so a buyer can see themselves making it their home.

 

Exterior:

• Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat.

• Clear gutters & downspouts.

• Make sure exterior has good lighting & all walkway lights & front door lanterns work.

• Remove moss from the roof.

 

Yard:

• Mow & trim grass; reseed and fertilize where necessary

• Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs.

• Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs and trees.

• Clean grease & oil stains from driveway.

• Weed flower beds & plant fresh flowers for color.

 

Deck and Patios:

• De-moss, paint or stain worn areas in wood decks.

• Remove grass growing in concrete cracks, sweep off debris from shrubs and trees.

• Clean all deck rails and make sure they’re secure; replace missing slats or posts.

 

Front Door:

• Polish the hardware on the door.

• Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of nicks.

• Clean the glass on the storm door; make certain the screen is secure.

• Make sure the doorbell operates properly & no squeaky doors.

 

Windows:

• Clean all windows inside & out.

• If needed add a fresh coat of paint to window trims and sills.

• Make sure all windows open & close easily.

• Replace cracked windowpanes & broken seals.

 

Entry:

• Clean entryway floors & double check entry lighting.

• Remove coats when not in season in entry closet to give the appearance of spaciousness.

 

Living room/ Dining Room/ Family Room:

• Repair cracks, holes in walls & give the room a fresh coat of paint if necessary.

• Clean carpets, draperies & blinds.

• Clean wood flooring & remove any stains or odors.

• Position furniture to showcase the size & space of the room.

• Put away items like toys, hobby supplies, remove extra magazines & books from tables.

• Clean out fireplace.

 

Kitchen:

• Make sure countertops & sinks are clean & stain free.

• Organize pantry, cupboards refrigerator & clean oven and cook top.

 

Bathrooms:

• Make sure sinks, tubs, showers & countertops are clean & free of stains.

• Make sure all fixtures are operating.

• Clean & repair tiles or grout.

• Install new shower curtain.

• De-clutter counters & shelves.

 

Bedrooms:

• Repair cracks in ceiling & walls.

• Apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary.

• Make sure drapes & blinds are clean & open for maximum light.

• De-clutter & neatly make up the beds.

 

Basement:

• Check for water, dampness or musty odors.

• Clean furnace & drains.

• Make sure light fixtures work.

• Organize & arrange storage areas.

• Make sure stairs are clear of clutter & the handrail secure.

 

Tidy the Extras:

• Plant flowers to brighten a walkway & enrich the entry.

• Remove any dead or brown leaves on indoor plants.

• Remove any fixer cars, campers & boats from property.

• At night, turn on outdoor lights. Buyers may drive by homes they

are considering at night.