Special offer

Don't Just DO Something, Stand There!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams - BV 581856

If you are getting ready to sell your home and KNOW it needs some maintenance, this post is for YOU! Unless you just moved into a brand new home and are being transferred with your job, your home most likely needs some improvements before it goes on the market. :)

STEP 1 - Call a handyman to fix all those items you KNOW are going to come up on an inspection like dripping faucets, missing roof shingles, the key that broke off in the deadbolt, etc. etc.  When things aren't working properly, it leaves a bad feeling with the buyer.

STEP 2 - CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN the house. I'm talking Q-Tip clean!  Spot treat the carpets or shampoo if necessary.  Wash the windows, clean the drapes, dust the lighting fixtures, and if you don't have time, hire it done!  Consider it a justified moving expense.  I had a buyer who was allergic to dust. Believe me, you don't want a buyer to have to walk out of your home prematurely due to the dust!!

STEP 3 -  CALL A YARD SERVICE PROFESSIONAL.  You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and your front yard will either work for or against you in drawing buyers!  I had a client do this for her former residence in preparing it to rent.  The yard man trimmed the large tree in front (amazing the difference it made!!) and he added some color to the flower beds.  We had EIGHT rental applications in only 3 days...with plenty more phone calls streaming in asking about the property. 

 

STEP 4  - CLEAR OFF THOSE COUNTERTOPS.  Make your kitchen and bathroom really look their best by removing most everything from the countertops.  Paper piles need to go in a file cabinet or drawers. Makeup, shaving gear, and toothpaste tubes need to be out of sight.  It may be an inconvenience, but selling your home will be well worth the effort.

STEP 5 -  CLEAN OUT THE GARAGE.  Not a bad idea even if you are not moving!! Throw out or give away anything that has not been used in the last year.  It is amazing how much accumulates in our garage!  Use hooks to hang items used infrequently.

If you're thinking of buying or selling your home in Cypress, TX   Houston, TX    Katy, TX  or the NW Houston area, give me a call.  I would love for you to join my growing list of satisfied clients!!

SONJA PATTERSON with RE/MAX REALTY CENTER 13611 SKINNER RD. SUITE 100 CYPRESS, TX 77429  DIRECT LINE: 281.213.8039  CELLULAR: 713.303.9463

 

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Sonja, I may have to take your advice to make my junked up house a nicer place to live.

Aug 28, 2010 12:08 PM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Patricia, I was talking to myself as well. LOL!! Did a "fall cleaning", and now I have a bagful of things going to charity.  Still need to work on the yard.  :)

Aug 28, 2010 01:11 PM
Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

Sonja,  it is a good idea to keep your house in show-ready condition BEFORE you list it.  And, then watch the realtor walk through and laugh.  But, in reality we all LIVE in our homes.  But, basically clean and clutter-free work 50% of the time.  The other variable is pricing.  Great advice. 

Aug 29, 2010 03:25 PM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Don, you are right. Pricing is key, too!!

Aug 30, 2010 01:34 PM
Michael Bergin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Very nice post, love the cleaning picture (in my head) of cleaning the home with a Q-tip LOL.

Aug 30, 2010 02:53 PM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Sonja -- Beyond sage advice.  Wouldn't life be grand if every seller took the time to do this (as much as financially possible) -- I wonder what would happen to the inventory levels.

Aug 30, 2010 04:27 PM
Coleen DeGroff
Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish Realtors - Gainesville, FL
Haile Plantation Real Estate - Gainesville FL

Sonja - These are awesome tips whether we're planning to sell or whether we just need to bring our house out of the doldrums. Thanks for sharing! :)

Aug 31, 2010 09:20 AM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Michael, I can't take credit for "q-tip clean".  I heard it from another agent long ago. I have used q-tips to clean those hard to reach spots like my kitchen faucet.  Places that only a small toothbrush could reach... :)

Chris--no doubt it would help the homes move faster if in great shape!!

Coleen, thank you for the kudos!!

Aug 31, 2010 11:12 AM