Make it Look Good
Getting Your House Ready to Sell Make it
Look Good 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.
In readying your house for sale,
consider:
- How Much You Should Spend;
- The Exterior "Curb Appeal"; and
- Preparing the Interior
How Much Should You Spend?
In preparing your home for the market,
spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new
roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it.
There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes"
and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a
fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and
costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen.
Curb Appeal - the Exterior
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.
Enhance your home’s exterior and curb
appeal by:
- Keeping the lawn edged, cut and
watered regularly;
- Trimming hedges, weeding lawns and
flowerbeds, and pruning trees regularly;
- Checking the foundation, steps,
walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling; Inspecting doors
and windows for peeling paint;
- Cleaning and aligning gutters;
Inspecting and cleaning the chimney; Repairing and replacing loose or
damaged roof shingles;
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- Repairing and repainting loose siding
and caulking; In Northern winters, keeping walks neatly cleared of snow
and ice;
- During spring and summer months
considering adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front
entrance;
- Re-sealing an asphalt driveway;
Keeping your garage door closed;
- Storing RVs or old and beaten up
teens' jalopies elsewhere while the house is on the market; and Applying
a fresh coat of paint to the front door.
Preparing the Interior
- Enhance your home’s interior by:
Giving 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.
- Hiring 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.
- Removing the less frequently used,
even daily used 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. Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of
dampness in the attic and basement. Repairing cracks, holes or damage to
plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles. Replacing broken or
cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspecting and
repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems. Repairing
dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the
bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.
Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in
new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of paint.
ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP!
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