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SELLER CHECKLIST – Interior Tasks to Prepare for Your Charlotte Home for Sale

By Debe Maxwell, CRS

Real Estate Agent with Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 228209

July 19, 2011 03:50 PM

SELLER CHECKLIST – Interior Tasks to Prepare for Your Charlotte Home for Sale

Preparing Your Charlotte Home for Sale Those who have never had a Charlotte home for sale before often think that selling is as simple as hiring a real estate agent and putting a sign in the yard. Believe me, it’s not that simple, as you’ll soon discover!

The Interior of Your Home

You’ve taken care of the exterior of your Charlotte home for sale-the first up-close impression buyers get. So, when buyers make it inside, they’re one step closer to actually buying your home. However, if the interior is a mess, this could blow the entire plan to get your home SOLD.

Here’s a checklist to make your home’s interior buyer-ready:

Make sure the front door doesn’t stick
Test windows to ensure they open and close easily
Wash windows inside and out
Move pets and pet supplies to a temporary home
Fix leaky faucets
Update fixtures on your cabinet hardware and door knobs
De-clutter closets and cabinets (yes, buyers WILL open them!)
Replace or repair cabinet doors
Clean or replace dirty or worn grout
Wash the walls if you’re not repainting
Repair cracks or holes in the wall
Paint walls a neutral color
Remove personal items, such as knick-knacks and personal mementos
Clean the fireplace
Have the chimney professionally cleaned
Remove clutter from countertops, tables and shelves
Steam clean the carpets
Scrub all appliances
Clean cobwebs and dead bugs from light fixtures and ceiling fans
Make sure every light has a working bulb
Degrease the stove and oven
De-clutter and clean the attic and the basement
Clean out your garage – do not fill the garage with moving boxes-buyers tend to think that you don’t have enough storage space when the garage is filled to the brim. Rent a storage unit!
Make sure crawl spaces have crawl space waterproofing
Remove excess furniture

While each of the Charlotte homes for sale is unique, with different selling points and selling problems, this list is a good start for any home.

If you’re ready to sell your Charlotte home, I can help. Call me or email me for more information.

For more seller checklists to prepare your Charlotte home for sale, visit our seller page at www.iCharlotteRealEstate.com.

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Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Great list for anyone thinking of placing their home on the market. And especially important with market conditions as they are today.

Jul 20, 2011 01:10 AM

Gerry Michaels

Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA

GettysburgGerry Social Meida

Great list Debe, I was going to make a list as well, but now I think I'll just steal yours...LOL

Jul 20, 2011 01:12 AM

Hannah Williams

HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA

Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Debe.. What a great checklist to prepare your home for sale ..:0)

Hannah

Jul 20, 2011 03:54 AM

Nancy Conner

Olympia, WA

Olympia/Thurston County WA

This is a great list Debe - and so very important since buyers just really aren't wild about thinking they will have to do cleaning and maintenance that the seller has neglected (and they start mentally deducting money from the price they will pay for the house too).

Jul 20, 2011 10:04 AM

Sheldon Neal

Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ

That British Agent Bergen County NJ

Yes yes yes yes yes .............

"This post is BritishAgentApproved" !! ;o)

Very nicely done Big Sis - terrific guide for sellers !!!

Cheers !!!

Jul 21, 2011 05:19 PM

Nevin Williams

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation - Cary, NC

Senior Mortgage Advisor

Hi Debe- this is pecisely why you are so good at what you do. Informative and pro active. All of these repairs/maintenance should be done prior to listing to ensure a quick sale. Great blog post!

Jul 21, 2011 05:34 PM

Larry Bettag

Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL

Vice-President of National Production

Nice gold star.....even though you don't have one at the point of me suggesting this.....You will! A lot of great points. I'd be happy wiht 10, but 30????? Hey, you take the cake!

Jul 21, 2011 05:37 PM

Sharon Paxson

Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Real Estate

Hi Debe - this is excellent information for someone preparing their home to sell. I am sure that your Charlotte, NC home sellers appreciate this very detailed list.

Jul 21, 2011 05:39 PM

Mike Mayer

Mike Mayer, Broker/Owner - i List For Less Realty, LLC - Lafayette, LA

Great list but it only scratches the surface. There's a limitless list of things sellers can do to enhance their home. I think it would help if the tasks were organized a bit better by interior/exterior and perhaps by room.

Jul 21, 2011 05:40 PM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Everyone! I just happened to check over here and see all these wonderful comments! Thank you so much! ANYthing that I can do to help my sellers prepare their home, I DO. Home sellers need each and every advantage in this market and our team goes that extra mile to see that they have every opportunity to achieve their goals and move on.

From the front door to the floors, this seller checklist will get them well on their way to a successful sale.

Thanks again for your comments. Have a fabulous Friday everyone!

Jul 21, 2011 05:52 PM

Hrisco & Associates

Hrisco & Associates - Roanoke, TX

Roanoke Homes for Sale - Roanoke Neighborhoods

Hi Debe, another fantastic article and what a checklist....going to reblog this as well...marked.

Jul 21, 2011 07:44 PM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

Las Vegas, NV

Hello Debe and I agree with John, like the article and great checklist and thanks for the read!

VB ;o)

Jul 21, 2011 07:52 PM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Debe,

Excellent post and these 30 tips every seller needs to heed when getting their home ready to go to market if they want a successful sale :).

Jul 22, 2011 12:10 AM

Ellie McIntire

Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD

Luxury service in Central Maryland

Most of this list is paid for with sweat equity. Every seller should take on these tasks.

Jul 22, 2011 12:32 AM

Joseph D. Federico

MVP Realty - Naples, FL

Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Debe-This is a great list indeed, Thanks for posting it!

Jul 22, 2011 12:39 AM

Kristi DeFazio

RE/MAX Advantage - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Rea lEstate 719-459-5468

21 is a good one. Most sellers don't realize the buyers will open the oven and if it is gross inside, it says a lot to them. Great list!

Jul 22, 2011 01:21 PM

Wayne Johnson

Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX

San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Good tips, Debe. When a Seller looks at a list like this, they sometimes get so overwhelmed. To me it's very similar to the saying "Every body wants to go to heaven , but nobody wants to die." Every Seller wants to sell their house, but almost nobody wants to do all that it takes to get it sold.

Jul 22, 2011 04:55 PM

Jerry Newman

Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX

Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Debbie, I am adding this list to my Seller's Presentation Package. These are just things that they may take for granted, but following your list will help get their home sold quicker.

I suggested!!

Jul 23, 2011 08:35 AM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

And clean out those medicine cabinets. Once you do that, you might find that the metal bottom is all rusty and will need a little work.

Jul 24, 2011 06:46 AM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Funny, Jim! I've actually seen that happen too! Pulling up the old lining to clean prior to moving, they're always surprised at what they will find, including cash!!

Jul 24, 2011 08:45 AM