Hello everyone,

Today I am going to start a new series geared towards F.S.B.O.'s. In todays market it is extremely important for your home to be in tip top shape if you want your home to sell. 

A couple of times a week I will post a new set of tips. We are going to start on the outside of your home and work our way in. These tips are excerpts from the booklet I've authored titled "For Sale By Owners Survival Guide". If you would like my free booklet please post a comment with you name and address and I will get it right out to you. 

Outside Expectations:

 
1. Spend an afternoon evaluating your house’s exterior, and if at

all possible, ask a friend (or any third party) to join you. Together,

you two should honestly, no-holds-barred evaluate what

improvements may be necessary; it helps to let your friend know that

you want his/her 100 percent honest feedback. (Definitely do not

react harshly if he/she suggests an improvement you had not

considered). Remember, you must have thick skin throughout the

entire house-selling process, and your friend is only trying to help.

2. First, stand outside your house, and objectively think, what

jumps out at me? The gorgeous front door? The impeccable

landscaping? Or the frail porch or run-down steps? Any loose

shingles on the roof? A sagging gutter? 

3. Beautiful landscaping and a well-kept yard are both

positives, but if anything on the outside of your house, such as

rickety steps, looks dangerous, make a note to fix it. It is critical to

always ask yourself, would I buy this house? Chances are, you

would not move into a house that was dangerous to enter or that

would cost you an arm and a leg to renovate, especially if the seller

is asking top dollar for the property.

4. A fresh coat of paint or a new roof can also make all the

difference in “curb” appeal—how your house looks to potential

buyers from the outside. The color of your house can also be a great

selling factor; is it a deep blue or beautiful hunter green in a

neighborhood of mostly white houses? If so, a unique hue may work

in your favor in the selling process (Never paint your house an

unusual color, though, without first checking with  your neighborhood

association , sometimes there are regulations about what color you

 can paint your house). Make sure the color of your house matches

 with any detached garage, barn or tool shed.

 5. If you are not able to paint you can always wash the homes exterior

 or dress up doors and window shutters with a more modern color.

 Clean the window screens, and if they are worn out, replace them.

 Moreover, if you have an older front door or garage door either paint

them if possible or replace them.

 or dress up doors and window shutters with a more modern color.

 Clean the window screens, and if they are worn out, replace them.

 Moreover, if you have an older front door or garage door, either paint

 them if possible or replace them. Don't forget the driveway! A good power

 wash can really help. Cracks should be filled too. 

 Please click on the links below to view the rest of my "Tips For F.S.B.O.s" 

 Part 2. Make Repairs                                                      Part 4. Inside these walls

 Part 3. Outside The Budget                                     Part 5. The All Important Kitchen

 For more D.I.Y. advice visit this home improvement site.

 
 Stay tuned for more coming this week,

 Thanks,

 Tara Painting

 Silverman Realty Inc.

 (904) 874-3569 

 Jacksonville real estate 

 Free Market Analysis