IS YOU HOME READY TO SELL?
If you have ever been in model homes, you know how good they look. The thought might have even crossed your mind that you would like to have, not only the home, but all of the furniture, the pictures, the flower arrangements and even the knickknacks on the shelves. Don´t wait to see if the house will sell before implementing these ideas. Generally, showing activity is the strongest during the first three to four weeks of the listing period. The reason is simple? There are buyers out there who have seen everything available and, for one reason or another, have not bought. They are just waiting for something FRESH AND NEW (like your home) to come on the market. When they find "model looking" home, they will often buy. The property also has the best chance of selling for the highest price during this time. Buyers also realize that sellers are not likely sell much below their asking price when their home is first listed. Frequently, sellers loose the buyer just as they driving up in front of the home. The buyer says something like, "I don´t want to look at this home." or "I don´t like how it looks from the front." It takes a lot to overcome a statement like that, so the first place you want to focus on is the front of your home. Stand across the street and look at the house. Ask yourself if it has "Great Street Appeal". The next owner of your home wants to be proud to show their home to friends, family members and business associates. The buyer is looking for great "street appeal". If all you can see are trees and shrubs, you have some yard work to do. Landscaping should enhance the home, not hide it. One of the easiest things to do is trim the shrubs that are overgrown. They should be lowered to a height of no higher than the bottom of the windows. A simple rule of thumb is to have all the limbs high enough so that you can walk under the tree. The next thing on the list is to clean out the flower beds and make them look good. This means getting all the weeds out and having a distinct border between the beds and the yard. Next, take a look at the front door and the area around it. If you paint nothing else, at least give the front door a fresh coat of paint. If the doorbell is broken, replace it. Wash the mailbox. Keep the porch swept. Get an attractive mat for people to to use when wiping their feet. Start by airing out the home. You are the last person to notice any peculiar odor in your home that may be blatantly obvious to visitors. Go on a search to find the offender. It may be a kitty litter box or a dog bed. It might even be a mildewed shower. Less is definitely better: It is always best to keep the radio and television turned off while the home is being shown. If a buyer has different taste in music than you do, your selections can be distractive or even annoying to the buyer. They may have a difficult time seeing your home. Go over the woodwork with a polish or cleaner. It brightens the wood and covers scratches. A product called Watco is great for scratches in stained woodwork. It comes in various stain colors. If you don´t have time for a garage sale, consider donating items to charity. Make a list of all the items and their estimated value. The donation is tax deductible and may be worth more to you than the time and effort you would put into a garage sale. Having your home on the market can be a very stressful and trying time. Please keep in mind the importance of preparing your home for sale, and keeping it in "SHOW HOME " condition. Think of it as "MONEY IN YOUR POCKET" because that is what it literally is. The better you have your home "staged" for showings, the more money it will command from a prospective buyer and in a shorter period of time. The better prepared everything is, the quicker it will sell. It´s very important that your home shows well. We´re also aware that it can´t always be perfect. After all, you and your family must live there, too. Develop a routine that will allow you to be prepared to show in a reasonable period of time. This means that certain things must be done in advance. For example, beds should be made up first thing in the morning and dirty dishes placed in the dishwasher after each use so that you needing´t rush around tending to these matters at the last moment. This way you can prepare for each showing in an organized, hassle free routine. Pick Up Every Room: Check counters, floors, halls and stairs. Straighten up or remove newspapers, magazines, mail, toys, clothing, recreation gear, valuables, glasses and dishes. If you would be interested discussing your real estate needs further, simply call us at 303-880-4944. When it comes to YOUR real estate needs, why accept less than extraordinary assistance?
There are things that can be done to give your home that "model home" look, so prospective buyers will pick your home before others on the market.
When homes have this kind of appeal, they sell quickly and usually for the highest price possible. Another interesting characteristic of homes that look great is that usually the transaction is remarkably free of problems.
The property needs to look good from the street, up the sidewalk, on the front porch, throughout the house and even in the darkest closets. You definitely want your home to give the impression that it has been well cared for and offers quality throughout.
A WORD OF WARNING
Frequently buyers put all of their savings into the down payment & closing costs and don´t have much left over to improve the home or bring it up to neighborhood standards after closing. These buyers can not consider any home that requires improvements. The remaining buyers who have extra funds available after closing will still choose to purchase the home that is in the best condition with the newest carpet and sharpest appeal. Similarly, if two properties are similar in condition, the buyers will choose the one that is offered at the lowest price.
DRIVE-UP APPEAL
THE ABSOLUTE BASICS - WAYS TO MAKE MORE MONEY FROM SELLING!
Next, wash all the windows in the house, inside and out. While you are at it, clean the window sills and the bottom of the window jambs, and wash the blinds.
The money spent on professional carpet shampooing will be returned two for one. Bare floors should also be waxed or polished.
Put brightest light bulbs allowed by the fixture manufacture in every socket. Buyers like bright and cheery looking rooms the best. You will also want to keep the drapes and shades open during the day, even if you are not in the habit, because it will make the property look bigger, brighter and better than your competition.
The next item on the required list is to clean out the garage, the basement and all of the closets and cabinets. Get rid of things. Pack up everything that you haven´t used in the last year. My motto is "When in Doubt ? Throw it out!" Do it without conscience or remorse. The main reason is that it will make every room look larger.
Closets should look as if they have enough room to hold additional items. You might need to box up off-season clothes to make it look that way. Get everything off the floor and don´t have the shelves piled to the ceiling.
Another basic requirement for home preparation is to be sure there is not too much furniture in a room. Even though it may be inconvenient, you will be far better off by selecting the pieces that look best and putting the others in the garage, basement, or better yet, in storage. You can rent a storage unit for a few dollars a month.
You will want to go over the kitchen like a health inspector. Clean the oven and keep it that way, even if it means eating out more often. After cleaning the range, put new drip pans under the burners, or at least, cover the old ones with foil. Clean around the seal of the door to the dishwasher. Remove everything off of the counter except for those items that are absolutely necessary to daily living.
Bath
Keep children´s toys out of the front yard and off the sidewalks and front porch. Get the children to understand the importance of keeping the house looking good while it is on the market. Take down any posters until the house is sold.
Recognize the difference between decorator touches and clutter.
A FINAL NOTE . . .
YOUR EFFORTS WILL PAY OFF IN DOLLARS RETURNED TO YOU.
BEFORE EACH SHOWING . . .
Turn On All Lights: Especially those in closets and storage rooms. Electric lights have an amazing capability for creating an illusion of lightness, airiness and largeness.
Open All Drapes Shades and Blinds: even when the sun heats the house. Dark homes are more difficult to sell than a warm house. Do all that you can to create a bright and light ambiance?
Clean Air: Keep air fresh in closets, bathrooms and in the kitchen. Coffee brewing or a cinnamon coffee cake baking in the oven has a lasting, inviting effect.
Television and Radio: The television and radio should be turned off. Let the agent and the buyer talk, free of disturbances.
Fireplace: During the right time of year, a cozy fire may be just the right touch that does the trick.
Air Conditioning: If the weather is warm and sultry, have your air conditioning operating and your home cooled to a very comfortable temperature.
The Entryway: It is where the first and last impression of your home is made. Make it a good one. Check it regularly for sharpness.
Someone has just called to show the house and now all the hard work you have done to make it look good is about to pay off. You just need a few last minute touches.
Open all doors between rooms to give an inviting feeling. Turn on most of the lights, including the lamps throughout your home.
If you have pets, get them out of the way. Not everyone may share your love for animals. Some people may be allergic to them or frightened by them.
When you leave the house in the morning or during the day, leave it as if you know it is going to be shown. You never know when the next owner is going to look at your home, so you always want to be ready for them.
