Prepare Your Home to Sell this Spring

Prepare Your Home to Sell this Spring-
5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market :

1. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? Eighty-four percent of home buyers use the Internet to search for homes. One-third of home buyers use the Internet first, before any other source. That means that people are making decisions whether or not to even drive by your home based on how it looks in video, virtual tours, and photographs.

2. Organize and clean. Reduce clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. If you wait until the buyer’s inspection, the buyer could find a reason to wiggle out of a deal. If you have a seller’s inspection you can improve the condition of your home before a buyer sees it. You can keep receipts of recent improvements and provide estimates on optional upgrades to potential buyers. These actions will reinforce your trustworthiness and help overcome objections from potential buyers.I’d be glad to come to your home and help you determine what should be done to get it ready to sell. I’ll also do a free market analysis using comparable homes in the area. Contact me today!