PREPARING A HOUSE TO SELL
Set the stage for a successful sale!
Preparing your house to sell means doing up the house to look as good as possible so that a buyer wants to buy the house. Preparing the house could involve major expensive repairs or minor repairs. Or if the condition is very good, it would mean taking care of all the minor things that may put off a buyer.
Selling your home is just like selling anything else. You need to highlight its strengths. Focus on its features. Bring out its best. Here's a list of places to start.
Spruce up!
Nothing puts off a buyer as an untidy home, a neglected garden or a glum looking house. Spruce up!
Clean the yard of all junk. De-weed the garden patches, prune the trees, trim the hedges.
Sweep the sidewalk, pathways and patio.
The entryway creates the first impression. Clean it well.
Windows get noticed. Wash them from inside and outside. Window screens accumulate dust. Vacuum clean them.
Clean the entire house - all rooms, carpets, curtains, sofas, ceiling, walls, and floors. Even if the house is unoccupied, a fine layer of dust everywhere does not impress. If your prospective buyer is allergic to dust, the deal could be off.
If possible, dry-clean the curtains and drapes.
Organize the closets. Buyers love large closets and they look even bigger when they are clean, neat and well organized.
Get rid of the piles of clothes, old cartons and other clutter.
Prospects pay close attention to bathrooms and kitchen. Scrub them scrupulously clean. And they should smell clean!
Vacuum or steam clean the carpets.
If you have a pet, you may want to deodorize the carpets.
Replace worn out carpets.
Secure the carpets well. Stretch and tack down loose ends.
Scrub the floor. Vacuum it if you like.
Organize all items in the kitchen neatly on shelves.
If the doors squeak, oil them.
Remove the clutter inside the house. Do not simply shift it to the garage. Have a garage sale instead. Remove the clutter from the attic and basement too.
Keep staircases and corridors clean and free of clutter. Cluttered areas are not only unattractive; they are dangerous as well.
A fallen antenna doesn’t present a pretty picture. Straighten it. While on the roof, clean the chimney.
Wash the awnings of the patio.
Loose door knobs and handles, door latches not closing smoothly, sticking drawers, wobbly hinges, jammed windows can all cost you a potential customer. Fix the defects first.
Inspect the house
Home built before 1978? Get the paint inspected for lead content. If it exceeds federal law specified limits, you may have to disclose it.
Fix the doorbell if it doesn’t work.
Repair leaky faucets.
Ensure that all lights, inside the house as well outside, work.
Loose electrical wires, broken sockets and fused out bulbs, flickering tube-lights are a no-no. Call your electrician to fix them.
Make sure all equipment and appliances are in proper working condition. Repair if required.
Paint peeling off the walls? Repaint with neutral colors. Or touch up patches.
Repair the hardwood floors and polish it with non-slip floor polish.
Exterminate insects and termites. Take the help of a professional agency.
Remove all signs of rust from railings and other places.
Fix all leaks in bathroom, sinks and pipes. Replace plumbing if required.
Clean clogged drains.
Impress the buyer
A fresh coat of paint on windows frames the house well.
However, if you can afford it, paint the entire house and garage. Do not forget the fence and the mailbox! Expensive though it may be, buyers do pay more for a ready-to-move-in home because they are saved the bother of repairs and painting.
If the wallpaper is peeling or faded, install a new one.
A couple of strategically hung paintings create a good impression.
Give the lawn the manicured look. Mow it well. Fertilize and water it for that fresh green look.
Have a flowerbed to give a cheery feeling to the visitor.
Before the showing
Let the home smell good. Spray a mild room freshener to give just the right tinge of freshness. Avoid strong scents. Your prospect may be allergic to particular scents or may not like the one you sprayed.
Fresh flowers impart a pleasant feeling. Place a vase of flowers in each room.
Open the windows and draw up the shades. Let the breeze and sunshine in.
Turn on the lights if you like. Brightly lit rooms look larger and more cheerful. Don't forget the accent, focus and picture lights.
Switch off the washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, television and all equipment that make noise.
Make the beds. Put up fresh linen.
Clear ashtrays. Remove the smell of smoke with a room freshener.
If your house has a fireplace, clean it and prepare it with logs. If it is cold, light up a fire.
Keep pets out of sight. Make your pets disappear when your house is being shown. Your prospect may have different tastes in animals than you.
Be prepared. You never know when your real estate consultant (property broker) may need to show your home on a moment's notice. So, make your beds and tidy up each morning, just in case.
During the showing
House hunters hate crowds. When your representative or broker shows your home, send the children away to the neighbours and take a long walk.
Soft music playing in the background could make your prospect more relaxed.
Stay in the background. Do not try to engage your prospects in conversation. Let your representative do his or her job and let your buyers inspect without interruption.
Don't try to sell your prospect your old furniture, appliances, lamps or anything besides your house. Save it for after the sale.
Let your representative, agent or broker discuss selling price, terms, possession dates or other such details. They have been carefully trained and will negotiate on your behalf.
