Preparing Your Home
The House Interior
- Kitchens, bathrooms, floors and woodwork are the key. Keep these areas clean and in good condition.
- Keep ovens, stoves or surface units and all porcelain or stainless steel clean. Cabinet counter tops should be clean and kitchen accessories in order. Remove unnecessary clutter from counter tops.
- Whether you have hardwood floors, wall to wall carpet, tile or any combination, keeping them clean is important. Mop or sweep hardwood or tile. Vacuum carpets thoroughly, clean if needed.
- Bathrooms are of great importance in the overall appearance of your home. If grout between tile has cracked and fallen out, it is best to re-caulk those areas.
- Replace old furnace filters and remove any dust accumulations from heat registers or vent covers.
- If doors stick or folding doors are off track, repair them.
- Storage is important to any prospective homeowner. Cluttered closets and other storage areas may accentuate a storage problem, especially in homes without basements. Clean out closets. Pack items you do not use, leaving only those needed before you move.
- If any rooms within the house are dark during daylight hours, keep curtains or drapes open and if necessary, keep a lamp on. Also, make sure that all windows are clean and gleaming. A bright, cheerful room is pleasing and gives an air of spaciousness.
- If interior painting is necessary, use neutral colors.
- Replace any burned out light bulbs, especially in the basement or darker rooms.
- Tighten door knobs, window fittings and other hardware.
- Do not hide a problem; it will come back to haunt you. Cracks in walls or concrete, broken appliances, roof leaks or wet basements should be repaired.
- Keep all steps clear of any hazards.
- Make up beds with attractive spreads and dress up any windows in freshly laundered curtains.
- Keep pets out of way during showings.
- Pack personal collections and photos. Too much seller personality prevents buyers from taking “personal possession” of a home.
- Put jewelry, checkbooks and other valuables in a secure place.
Marketing your home is a team effort and you are an important part of the team. The following checklist will help set the stage for a speedy sale at the highest price. When a prospective buyer looks at your home, these suggestions are the very things that influence a buyer’s first impression.
The House Exterior
- Your front door gives a vital first impression. A little linseed oil will freshen up stained wood. If painted, wash with soap and water. If paint or varnish is chipped or peeling, a fresh coat of paint may be in good order.
- Clean gutters if needed.
- Repair any torn screens or replace existing ones.
- Hose off or pressure wash exterior wood and trim.
- If gutters or exterior wood are in need of paint because of obvious cracking, peeling or chipping, it is best to repair those condensation areas.
- If you have window air conditioning units, wipe them clean and remove any rust that may have accumulated around condensation areas.
- If you have an outside patio or deck, make sure any lawn furniture, gas grills or exposed wood are in good repair.
The Yards and Grounds
- Keep the yard cut and trimmed.
- Trim and shape the shrubs if necessary.
- Keep the area around the garbage cans neat and free of trash.
- Stack woodpiles neatly.
- Keep drives and walks swept free from pine straw, limbs, oil stains, etc.
- Put a fresh layer of pine straw on pine islands.
- Keep surface water drainage areas and natural streams free from debris that may cause water to stand or stagnate.
- Pick up toys, tools, bicycles, etc.
Remember
- Leave property showings to me. My business is to sell; I feel I can overcome objections and highlight your home’s features better without your help.
- It is best for you to leave when your home is being shown if at all possible & take pets with you.
- Never try to sell furniture to a customer before the house is sold.
- Do not discuss anything concerning your sale with a customer. Refer customers back to me!
Intelligent Pricing
Determining the best asking price can be one of the challenging aspects of selling a home. It is also one of the most important! If your home is listed at a price that is above market value, you will miss out on prospective buyers who would otherwise be prime candidates to purchase your home. If you list at a price that is below market, you will ultimately sell for a price is not the optimum value for your home. This will increase your chances for a sale while ensuring a final sale price that reflects the true value of your home. It’s a balancing act. The goal is to price your home at a price that will create immediate excitement and desire from home buyers, while not leaving any of your hard earned equity on the table.
Another critical factor to keep in mind when pricing your home is timing. A property attracts the most attention, excitement and interest from real estate agents and buyers in the first 30 days. Improper pricing at the initial listing misses out on this peak interest period and may result in your home languishing on the market. This may lead to a below market value sale price, or even worse, no sale at all! Your home has the highest chance for a successful sale when it is new on the market and priced reasonable using intelligent pricing strategies. Working together, we will determine a price and marketing plan which exposes your home to the greatest percentage of qualified buyers.
If you would like up-to-date information on recent sales in your neighborhood and the real story on what is happening in the Atlanta real estate market, send me an email or give me a call. Even if you are just curious about a specific neighborhood, I would be happy to help!
Real Estate Glossary of Terms
Intelligent Pricing
How can a real estate agent help me sell my home
How to price to sell and still make a profit
