Home Selling Tips

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Real Estate

Every Realtor knows that a polished home is more like to attract buyers. When a house is market-ready inside and out, it is more likely to sell quickly and to the highest of bidders. Buyers also are more prone to purchase a home that seems to have been kept up, since the logical assumption is that even aspects of upkeep which are not readily apparent were tended to in a likewise manner. When preparing to sell, you should keep the following aspects in mind:

• Budget for Renovations
• Interior Updates, Fixes, and Cleanup
• Curb Appeal (Appearance of Outside)

Budget for Renovations
Keep your budget for renovations to a minimum. The main characteristics likely to catch the eye of a buyer are aesthetic. So concentrate your spending mostly on touching up.

Interior Updates, Fixes, Cleanup
Here are some examples of little interior embellishments which are inexpensive but can go a long way:

• Spackle and Sand Nail Holes and Other Wall/Ceiling Blemishes
• Freshly Paint All Rooms (always use neutral colors such as earth tones)
• New Inexpensive Carpet (again, no exotic colors)
• New Lighting Fixtures
• New Covers for Light Switches and Electrical Outlets
• New Door Knobs (even on linen closets, cabinets, and drawers)
• Add New Trim (Wood) Where Appropriate (not wallpaper or borders)
• New Faucets/Showerheads
• Re-stain Wood Porch or Deck
• New Front Door
• Pulling Up Carpet Over A Nice Wood Floor And Re-Staining It
• Replace outdated lamps and end tables
• New bath towels and hand towels

If you do decide to make moderately expensive renovations, focus on the kitchen and bath, finishing the basement, and new windows. These are aspects that add a lot of implied value to the house. It will appraise better with updated kitchen and baths, and buyers will be basically guaranteed to sell for a higher price. If you decide to make these types of updates, try to use things that “look” expensive but aren’t. For example, using a stone-like or marble-like counter top adds a look of elegance without the price-tag. You are less likely to get a return if you overspend so keep that in mind when you do so.

Also, remove excess furniture. Too much extra furniture takes away from the apparent sense of space in a home, regardless of actual square footage. Light colors in walls and carpet (avoid white carpet) will also add more implied space. Consider replacing the master bedroom’s closet doors with mirrored doors. This will make a huge different in the apparent size of that very important room.

Finally, make sure the house stays meticulously clean. Reorganize everything, including closets and medicine chests. There should be no clutter whatsoever, even in slightly hidden areas. Think of each room in the house as a showroom. Keeping things clean, even to the point of unrealistic (keeping things like sponges and dish soap stored away). Do not have too many things on the walls. Add a nice inexpensive artwork above the sofa and replace picture frames containing family photos with updated frames as needed. Remember: buyers notice details and even those small details have an impact on whether your home sells and for what price.

When a buyer comes for a showing, make sure to light candles, spray air freshener, clean floors and sinks with a fresh-smelling cleaner, use vacuum powder, and make an apple pie if you have time. Think of buyers as special company coming over for a visit! How would you want the house to look and smell if the president came over? That’s how it should look and smell when you and your agent do a showing.

Exterior/ Curb Appeal

The exterior of the home is just as important as the interior. The term curb appeal is a real estate buzzword for good reason. It is what prospective buyers see as their very first impression of your home, even before they make appointments for official showings and see the inside. It is quintessential to have the outside looking literally perfect at all times. Here are some tips to prepare the outside of the home for sale:

• Lawn not only mowed and watered, but edged carefully w/electric trimmer
• Repave driveway
• Fix damaged or missing roof shingles
• Repaint exterior and shutters
• Trim and shape bushes
• Prune trees
• Remove weeds
• Fix up and replant flower beds (or buy and replant fully bloomed flowers)
• Keep all bikes, mowers, RV’s, older vehicles and such put away in garage
• Clean out garage (this can affect the impression of your home during showings)

The same advice as the interior applies of just keeping everything looking like a model home on the exterior as well. Make it look sleek and professional and buyers will give you professional grade offers!

Final Thoughts

Don’t over-think it. Just make a list of all the things that need to be done around your home, inside and out, as you think of them. Then gradually make trips to the home improvement stores to pick up supplies. Common-sense does apply, but it is also a good idea to ask a friend (especially one who has a beautiful home) to look at your house and give you objective advice as well.

If you hire professional help for renovations, be sure to price compare and ask for guaranteed turnaround when selecting a contractor. (Nothing is worse than not being able to do a showing to a prospective buyer because your kitchen is covered in dust cloth because it’s half-remodeled.) Remember: if you follow all of these tips, your home can sell for up to one-and-half times the original selling price, sometimes more.

If you have any questions call us for immediate assistance. Be sure to visit us often for up-to-date MLS listings for Tampa Real Estate and Northern Virginia Real Estate.

© 2008 Julia Vakulenko and Tampa4U Team