Preparing Your Home For Sale

There are many things to consider as you prepare to list your home for sale. First, you should always consult a local, reputable Realtor who is familiar with your neighborhood and current market conditions. They can offer you data on homes that have recently sold and that are listed which will be invaluable when deciding on your final price and sale terms. In addition, here are some basic tips that will help get you started.

Most real estate professionals agree that it is a good idea to get a pre-listing home inspection. No matter who ends up purchasing your home, they are going to ultimately conduct an inspection anyway. Purchase contracts are written up "subject to" a satisfactory property inspection in most cases. As the seller, you should know if there are any problems ahead of time so that you can avoid potential stumbling blocks down the road. If there are any problems, you have the opportunity to hire a contractor to make any necessary repairs. Make sure the inspector you use is licensed and/or certified if your state requires it. One of the benefits of ordering your own inspection is that it can potentially be used for the purchase transaction. By making it available to any potential buyers, it may encourage them to waive the inspection contingency.

Maximize your home's curb appeal. Some tips include keeping your lawn trimmed and healthy looking, planting colorful flowers, painting trim and/or any faded areas as needed, washing your windows, cleaning the gutters and chimney, replacing any roof shingles, and keeping your garage door closed. It's also a good idea to look for any major cracks in the sidewalk and driveway and repair if needed. In the interior, one of the first things you can do is get rid of excess clutter. Clean out your closets, garage, basement and attic. Make sure your shelves aren't overly crowded. If you need to rent a storage facility, it is well worth the money. Inspect your walls to see if a fresh coat of paint is needed. These things will make your home look bigger and brighter. Don't forget to shampoo the carpets and wash all tiles. Make sure that any old or worn fixtures in the bathrooms are replaced, and keep a set of new towels to be brought out during open houses. It's also a good idea to "disassociate" yourself from your home. Take down all the distracting family photos. Remember, a new buyer sees your home as potentially theirs, not yours. To save time, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to come every week while your home is on the market. This will keep it in tip-top shape and free you up to take care of other things.

Taking a little extra time to prepare your home for sale by doing a few simple things could give you the advantage over the next seller.  As always, if you need help or advice, just respond to this email.