Inside the Home:
Fix or replace damaged flooring such as torn lino or cracked tiles. If you can't afford to fix or replace damaged floors consider offering the buyer an allowance for this renovation.
Fix any drains, faucets or plumbing fixtures that are leaking and/or not working. This can range from replacing a faucet washer to buying a new toilet.
Paint the interior, fill all cracks, chipped corners and holes in the walls. Damaged wallpaper should be taken down. You might only have to repaint one wall or all walls accordingly. If the walls are in good repair a good cleaning is all that is necessary.
Replace burned out light bulbs and broken electrical sockets. Most agents will want to turn on all the lights before a showing.
Replace or fix broken stairs and fix any creaks as well.
Replace old locks and doorknobs, make it easy for a buyer to walk in.
Fix any doors that don't open easily, including the garage door.
Outside the Home:
Replace cracked windows and torn screens. Don't let your home be shown with the equivalent of a black eye.
Fix all cracks in the driveway and entry way, clean up any stains. If the driveway requires major repair, it may be preferable to offer the buyer an allowance for the work.
Paint the exterior. Touch up peeling paint, window frames, door frames, porches and shutters. Repainting the whole exterior may be necessary especially if paint is peeling everywhere or the colours are very unappealing.
Replace broken gutters or downspouts. Good drainage is key to passing a home inspection.
Replace or fix broken or cracked stairs. It's a matter of both safety and aesthetics.
Repaint or reseal the deck and replace broken boards.
Repair the roof. Replace shingles and tack down loose flashing. If the roof is old, you may want to replace it or give the buyer an allowance to get the job done.
With a little effort, you can transform an average home into an above-average property that is sure to get second looks from buyers.
Paint inside and outside. Fresh paint is the most cost-effective and profitable improvement you can make, even if your home doesn't need a new coat. Paint the interior walls a neutral colour and the ceilings white to make rooms look cleaner and bigger. In fact 50% of all paint colours sold are variations of white.
New lights. Replace those outdated fixtures. This inexpensive improvement can update old decor that might discourage buyers.
Flooring. Shabby floors can kill a sale. Professionally clean all carpets. If they are torn and/or stained new carpet and/or lino is a must. Choose neutral colours. If you are not able to afford to replace floors you may want to include an allowance for buyers or adjust your asking price accordingly.
Yard work. Attractive front and back yards boost the value of any property. Mow the lawns, trim shrubs and plant some flowers. Clean up all 'junk' from the yards, decks and patios. Make sure you have swept all walkways, stairs and decks. Decorating entryways with potted plants and flowers makes a great first impression.
A clean garage. If you use your garage for storage, clean it out and rent a storage space. Paint the interior white. If your garage is unfinished, install wallboard or build shelves on the back wall. A clean garage helps solidify a buyer's impression of a home in move-in condition.
After you've made basic repairs, the task of selling your home boils down to making the home as clean, clutter-free and inviting as possible. Now's the time to make cosmetic improvement: paint a dingy room, rearrange furniture, hang up or take down pictures and freshen your front entrance with plants or flowers. Here is a helpful checklist.
Front Entrance:
-make sure the outside light is working and house numbers are easily visible.
-keep the lawns mowed and the yard tidy.
-clean doors and windows.
-sweep walkways and door steps, shake out door mat.
-water all container flowers, remove all dead plants.
Entryway:
-dust any shelves
-make sure the light fixtures are clean and working.
-clean floors and shoe mat.
-put all shoes and coats out of sight.
-tidy and clean out the closet. Extra space gives the feeling of a large home.
Living room and Family room:
-store away all newspapers, magazines, books, games, toys and videos.
-reduce the number of family photos, pictures and plaques that are displayed. Too may pictures and "things" distract buyers and give the feeling of the room being over crowded.
-vacuum all rugs and dusty upholstered furniture.
-dust all surfaces including the tv screen (don't forget overhead fan/lights).
-clean out wood burning fireplaces.
-water any plants and remove dead ones.
-make the room smell good, crack open the window (if weather permits), a bowl of potpourri, plug-in scents and Febreeze all help make the room smell
clean.
Kitchen:
-wash the floors
-put away all small appliances and clean the countertops, cabinets and kitchen table.
-make sure all food is put away.
-scrub the sink, clean all dishes and remove dirty dish clothes and towels.
-if your major appliances are included in the sale you need to clean out the oven and fridge,
-once again smell is important, open the window or run the fan to remove odors.
Bathrooms:
-wipe wet showers stalls and bathtubs.
- clean the floors especially around the toilet.
-put out fresh towels and launder all floor mats.
-empty wastebaskets.
-clean toilet, sinks, mirrors, counters and faucets.
-stow away all dirty laundry.
-put away all makeup, medications etc from counters. If you have shelves full of stuff, consider putting all your things into a few nice baskets
-a clean bathroom smells good. A few scented soaps, etc will help keep this fresh smell.
Bedrooms:
-make the bed.
-vacuum rugs, mop floors and dust all furniture and light fixtures.
-stow away all clothes, shoes, laundry, books and toys.
-clean and organize the closets. Pack away seasonal clothes.
-open the curtains and blinds.
Home office or den:
-vacuum floors and dust desk, shelves, computer etc.
-straighten out desk and bookshelves. Consider packing away items to give a clean look.
-put away all files and personal papers.
Basement:
-depending whether the basement is finished or unfinished, vacuum and clean all floors and dust any furniture.
-clear any clutter away especially if it's blocking access to the furnace, hot water tank and electrical box.
-tidy up laundry area and do not have dirty laundry laying around.
Garage:
-tidy up stuff on shelves or in a workshop area.
-if you use your garage for storage, clean it out and put your things in a storage space.
Special notes:
-make sure all garbage is removed.
-make sure litter box is clean.
When you have a showing:
-leave the home. Buyers will then take their time to carefully look at your home.
-make sure all pets are secured.
1) Pretend you're the buyer. The more pleasing and memorable the experience of viewing your home, the more likely a buyer is to make an offer. Set aside your emotional attachment and act on your instincts. You need to stop thinking of your house as your home and start thinking about it as a commodity that you want to sell.
2) Listen to the feedback. Ask your real estate representative to get comments from buyers and also from the other agents who have shown your home. If location is the problem, you may not have any other choice but to reduce your price. But if your homes appearance is the issue, deal with what seems to be holding buyers back, such as cleaning up the basement or painting walls.
3) Reduce your price. This is the most obvious decision. If the market ( in your city or just in your neighbourhood) has slowed or stagnated since you listed your home, the recent home sales you used to set your price may be obsolete. Consider reducing your price, this sends a strong signal to other agents that you are motivated to sell. If you still have no offers after four to six weeks, you may want to cut your price again.
Q: What's the first thing I should do to prepare my home for sale?
A: The first thing you need to do is stop thinking of your house as a home and start thinking about it as a commodity that you want to sell. To be a successful seller, you must detach yourself emotionally from your home and be honest about how it should look in order to sell. Property condition and appearance play big roles in home sales. Buyers discount the price if a home needs work. You do not have to spend a fortune preparing your home for sale. Concentrate on cost-effective improvements (such as a good cleaning) that will give you a good return on your investment. You can get more detailed information at the "Basic Repairs" and "Preparing your home to sell" articles on this web site.
Q: Is it better to buy first or sell first?
A: At Mark Jontz & Associates we suggest that selling your home "contingent" to you buying a suitable property is the best way to go. This way you are protected and not 'out in the cold' if your home was to sell and you have not found a suitable property to move into. If you market your existing home and it sells quickly, you might consider renting for the time it takes until you find your new home. On the other hand, if you buy first you know exactly where you are going and when. You know what it will cost. You know if you need to take the washer, dryer, fridge or stove from the old house. If you do not need them in your new residence, you can include them in the sale of your home to help sweeten the deal. Everyone has unique needs when it comes to buying and selling their home and we can personally take you step by step through this exciting time.
