5 Things To Do Before You Sell
These preliminary steps can enhance the salability of your property by providing peace of mind to prospective buyers.
- Get reliable estimates for items that soon may need to be replaced, such as a new roof or carpeting, to give buyers a better sense of how these repairs will affect their costs.
- Have a termite inspection to prove to buyers that your property is not infested.
- Get a pre-sale inspection and make necessary repairs before buyers become concerned and cancel a contract.
- Gather together warranties and guarantees on the furnace, appliances, and other items included in the sale.
- Fill out a seller disclosure form provided by your sales associate, and be sure to include any problems, however minor, that might create liability for you after the sale.
10 Ideas to Make Your Home More Saleable
It is essential to prepare your home to create that all-important good first impression on prospective buyers. Don’t allow these common problems to interfere with a buyer’s appreciation of your home.
- Get rid of clutter. Pack away small decorative items, dispose of unwanted clothing, and clean out the garage.
- Wash your windows and screens to let in more light.
- Thoroughly deep-clean everywhere to convince buyers that your home has been well cared for.
- Get rid of smells. Clean carpets and drapes to eliminate cooking, smoke and pet odors. Open the windows.
- Use higher wattage bulbs everywhere to make rooms brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms.
- Make minor repairs. Problems may seem trivial, but give the impression that your house is not well maintained.
- Replace any knobs and latches that don’t work correctly.
- Tidy your yard, cut the grass, rake leaves, trim bushes, and edge walks. Put bright flowers near the entryway.
- Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant if used.
- Clean your gutters and downspouts.
10 Suggestions For Successful Showings
These tips can help your home make the best impression, every time it is previewed by sales professionals or shown to prospective buyers.
- Welcome prospects with a well-kept yard, cleared sidewalks, clutter-free porch, and freshly painted or cleaned front door. The fewer detractions to their first look at your home, the better.
- Think Safety. Eliminate clutter on stairs, draped extension cords, slippery throw rugs, etc., so prospects can experience your property without risk of injury by unexpected perils.
- During the day, open curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is. At night, turn on all lights – inside and out – to add welcoming color and warmth.
- Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, eliminate excess furniture. Attractive bed coverings and fresh curtains are a must. And, above all, make your beds every day!
- Bathrooms sell homes, so make them shine. Repair damaged or unsightly caulking in tubs and showers. Polish or replace old fixtures. For added allure, display your best towels, mats and shower curtains.
- Turn Down the Volume. Rock-and-Roll will never die, but it might kill a sale. Don’t allow prospects to be turned off by a loud stereo or disruptive TV.
- Keep pets outside or at least out of the way when prospects are viewing your home. And it’s essential to keep pet areas scrupulously clean. It will be a sure deal-killer if they detect it.
- Don’t distract prospects with offers to sell furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.
- Arrange to go away or make yourself scarce so potential buyers can give your house the attention that it deserves. And don’t offer information or discuss your home. Let your realtor guide the clients through.
- When you get inquiries from prospects who want to view your home, or talk price, terms or other real estate matters, defer to experience and let them speak to an expert – your Gacono Real Estate agent.