About to Sell in Addison or Farmers Branch? Preparations Prior to Listing

When you are about to sell in Addison, or Farmers Branch, or anywhere in the United States, there are preparations prior to listing that both the homeowner and the real estate agent should complete.

In Part 1, I gave you some background about this property about to be offered for sale and some of the initial steps that were taken, up to and including my first visit to the house.

Since curb appeal is so important, Deena, the executrix of the estate and her husband set out to spruce up the exterior appearance. 

• The torn screen is being replaced.
• The dirty siding is in the process of being power-washed.
• The old window AC unit, no longer needed because of the new central HVAC vent into the sunroom, is going, going, gone to make both the exterior and the interior look better.  Removal of the window unit will also increase energy efficiency.
• The worn indoor/ourdoor carpeting on the front porch was removed.
• The gutter guards poking up from the gutters will be replaced.
• Old garden hoses have been trashed.
• Flaking paint on the trim will be scraped and repainted.
• The tree has already been trimmed.
• The chain link fence in the back yard will have the extraneous attachments removed.
• The peeling plastic film has been scraped off the windows and the windows are washed.
• And the decomposing trailer parked in the back will disappear.

If you're about to sell in Addison or Farmers Branch, look at the exterior of your home with a critical eye.  What preparations prior to listing does your house need?  Don't give prospective buyers a reason to keep driving past instead of stopping to see the inside.  It doesn't matter how great the inside is if buyers won't stop and get out of the car at the curb.

Once you've created your list of repairs and improvements, ask a neighbor or friend to give their suggestions.  Your Realtor® will also provide an expert opinion.  Don't over-improve for the neighborhood.  You want your house to blend in, not stick out.

A fresh coat of paint on the front door and some seasonal color in the form of a few plants at the entrance will create a warm welcome.

Coming next in the series About to Sell in Addison or Farmers Branch? Preparations Prior to Listing: The interior space.