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Spend as Little as Possible Getting the House Ready to Sell in San Antonio

By
Real Estate Agent with First Texan Realty

For a customized list of things to do to get your house ready visit www.ramonaslist.com and schedule a free home evaluation.  As a general guideline, follow the advice outlined in realtor.com:

Get the House Ready
A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well-maintained.

A "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained.

How much should you spend
In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible.

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal by following these inexpensive tips:

  • Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.
  • Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.
  • Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
  • Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint.
  • Clean and align gutters.
  • Inspect and clean the chimney.
  • Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
  • Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
  • During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance.
  • Re-seal an asphalt driveway.
  • Keep your garage door closed.
  • Store RVs or old and beaten up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
  • Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door.
  • Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
  • Hire a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.
  • Remove items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.
  • If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.
  • Check for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.
  • Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
  • Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.
  • Repair dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.
  • Spruce up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
Posted by

For more information on buying or selling property in the San Antonio area, give me a call.

210-254-0503

Cynthia Gomez

www.SanAntonioPropertySales.com

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Anonymous
Ronald Swanson

My wife and I are almost completely done with fixing all of the cracks and dents in the house. The hardest part now is just maintaining the house until someone wants to buy it. I didn't realize people hired professional cleaners to come once every couple weeks while the house was on the market but it makes sense. This tip will be especially helpful for me because I'll be in a completely different state while my house is on the market. http://marcfreemanrealestate.com/selling_tips.10steps.MarcFreeman

Jan 27, 2015 01:09 AM
#1