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Prepare Your Home For Sale
Tips - How To Prepare Your Home For Sale And For Viewing By Home Buyers
GENERAL
• First and foremost, don’t place your home on the
market for sale until you are certain that you are prepared to
sell.
• Don’t price your home out of the market when stacked
up against comparable homes in your neighborhood.
• A tidy home shows to its best advantage; the first impression
is a lasting impression. Not only is it important to present your
home to its best advantage to home buyers, but it is equally important
to present your home to its best advantage to real estate agents
who will be showing your home to prospective buyers; you want the
agents to be enthusiastic about your home. Be sure that your home
is tidy before your agent holds an open house for other agents
to preview your home.
• Pets should be removed from the premises or placed in a
secure area.
• Refrain from playing loud music or otherwise creating a
disturbing environment.
• Extraneous odors from cooking or from pets should be avoided.
Prepare Your Home To Get It Sold
EXTERIOR
• The exterior of your home provides
the initial impression of your home that buyers will be exposed
to when they drive up to your home.
• Be sure that the exterior areas around the home are tidy
and that all exterior furniture is clean.
• Be sure that the lawn and shrubs are neatly manicured.
• Consider re-paving all worn and defective walkways.
• Repair or replace all poorly secured or disconnected rain
down spouts and gutters; gutters should be clean.
• Repaint all areas where the paint is peeling or worn; power
wash all exterior facades that are not clean or that are mildew
covered.
• Be sure that all exterior door handles operate properly
and that storm doors have proper door closers.
INTERIOR
• Although your home does not have to look like a museum,
it should be clean and tidy. Don’t leave toys, etc. scattered
about, everything should be in its proper place including items
stored in closets.
• Homes that are bright and cheery show better, keep windows
shades and curtains open. Lights should be kept on in areas that
do not receive enough natural light.
• Kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms should sparkle;
don’t leave soiled laundry or dishes exposed.
• Consider repainting rooms that are badly worn, buyers like
light and neutral colors.
• Consider replacing badly worn carpeting or flooring.
• Store any very unusual posters, or similar items, that
may be offensive to some home buyers; keep in mind that some home
buyers may bring children along.
• It is best not to leave jewelry and other small valuable
items in an unsecured location.
ELECTRICAL
• Be sure to
replace all defective light bulbs and electrical switches.
• Be sure to have a licensed electrician remove, repair,
or replace all wiring that was not installed by a licensed
electrician.
• Find or obtain your Board of Fire Underwriters certificate
for the electrical service in your home.
PLUMBING
• Be sure to have
a plumber repair leaking or defective plumbing faucets. Drains should be
clean and free flowing.
• Repair defective bathroom tiling, remove all mildew, and
re-grout and re-caulk tile where needed.
• Have a plumber replace badly rusted and corroded plumbing
pipes.
HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING
• Be sure that
your heating and air-conditioning systems have been recently serviced; cleaning
the systems, and replacing filters is recommended.
• Keep your home at a comfortable temperature level.
• If conditions do not require heating or cooling, keeping
your home safely ventilated is a good idea.
Joanne Zitz
