A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well-maintained. In my experience, 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:
Selecting
a Realtor
How much should you spend?
Maximizing
Exterior/Curb Appeal
Maximizing Interior Appeal
Preparing your home for
viewing
There
are many important reasons to use a realtor.
Some of the duties I will perform for you include:
Walking through the process of selling your home from beginning to end;
Providing comparable information about the prices for which other
properties have sold and analyzing data for you to gain a true
comparison;
Supplying information regarding local customs and regulations you may
want to consider;
Sharing information about your home through the Multiple Listing Service
and on the Internet;
Placing advertisements for your home;
Fielding phone calls;
"Qualifying" potential buyers to make sure they would be
financially able to buy your property;
Negotiating the sales contract;
Alerting you to potential risks;
Complying with the disclosures required by law;
Providing you with an estimate of the closing costs you will incur; and
Helping you prepare for a smooth closing of the transaction.
The following are important questions to ask a potential agent:
Are you a realtor?
Do you have an active real estate license in good standing?
Do you belong to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and/or a reliable
online home buyer’s search service? (Multiple Listing Services are
cooperative information networks of realtors that provide descriptions
of most of the houses for sale in a particular region.)
What have you listed or sold in this neighborhood lately?
Do you cooperate with buyers' brokers?
What share of the commission will you offer a cooperating broker who
finds the buyer?
Look for an agent who:
Is a member of the local board or association of realtors;
Explains and discloses agency relationships (the role of the agent,
i.e., who they are representing--the buyer or the seller) early on in
the process, at "serious first contact";
Advises you on how to prepare your home for the market;
Shows some enthusiasm for your property, listens attentively, instills
confidence, operates in a professional manner, and has a complementary
personality style to yours;
Has already researched your property in the public records and the MLS;
and
Brings data on nearby homes that have sold (or failed to sell) recently.
Without any obligation, you can invite local realtors to visit your home
and give you a "listing presentation" about why they're the
best ones to market it for you. Two to three presentations will probably
give you a good opportunity for choice.
A listing presentation includes having the realtor:
Review with you the reasons why you should list with that particular
individual; and
Providing you with information that will assist you in making initial
decisions about selling your home.
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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.
I am familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood, can advise
you specifically on what improvements need to be made. Don't hesitate to
ask me 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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Preparing
your home for viewing
To prepare your home for viewing, make it as light, cheerful and
serene as possible.
Open heavy drapes;
Put on lights in closets, basement, and attic; and
Light your dining room chandelier and living-room lamps.
TIP: When preparing your home, think about the techniques that are
used to show builders' model homes.
You may not want to be present while the house is being shown to
prospective buyers. Your presence will inhibit their actions and
conversations. They won’t feel free to open closets and
cabinets, test out the plumbing, and discuss their observations
objectively as they walk through. It goes without saying that your
children and pets should not be on the premises either.
If your realtor has scheduled an open house, you may want to notify the
neighbors, and assure them that they'll be welcome. They'll jump at the
chance to poke around in your house, and sometimes they can turn up a
buyer among their friends.
In preparing for an open house, you should:
Pull the drapes back;
Light lamps;
Simmer a few drops of vanilla on the stove;
Light your fireplace;
Set the dining room or kitchen table if you have particularly nice linen
or china;
Put fresh towels in the bathroom; and then
Leave the house so your realtor is free to deal with prospective buyers
in a professional manner.
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Data provided by:
Realtor.com
