Spring is Home Selling Season!

Spring is Home Selling Season!

To maximize your price and minimize your DOM (Days on Market) there are some tasks you may want to complete before you place that “For Sale” sign in your yard. Many of the suggestions are simple, common-sense items, others will require some time and investment; however, you will reap the rewards when a buyer proclaims, “This is the one!”

Eight Simple Tips when preparing your home when selling:

1. Curb Appeal: Take a long, hard look from the street. Does it have curb appeal? Is it warm, inviting and well-kept? Keeping the lawn mowed, weeding garden areas, trimming unruly bushes, resealing the driveway and sweeping the porch will maximize the appeal. Many researchers claim 60% - 80% of the buyer’s decision is made immediately upon curb appeal!

2. Front Door: Pay special attention to your front door. Repaint or refinish, polish the doorknobs and locks, clean the glass, oil the hinges, and definitely make sure it opens/closes with ease. Nothing sends up a red flag faster than a front door that needs attention or is hard to open!

3. Paint: If your home needs to be painted, this is the time to do it. The interior paint job should be fresh and clean and in a single, neutral color throughout. This is not the time to experiment with different colors. The same goes for the exterior. Don’t forget shutters and windows. If your home has cement-board, vinyl, or aluminum siding, be sure it’s clean and in good repair. Tell a potential buyer you took exceptional care of your property!

4. Flooring: Old, worn, or stained carpeting needs to be replaced. If you have hardwood floors under old carpet that is in fair condition, tear up the carpet and refinish them; today’s buyers love hardwood floors. Professionally clean the grout in tile floors. Do not fall for the old myth “Oh, I’ll just give an allowance, so the buyer can make their own selections!” Just do it!

5. Minor Repair Items: Make a list of all those little repairs you’ve been putting off, then fix each one. The hole in the screen, the loose doorknob, the doorbell that doesn’t work, the leaky faucet all should be repaired before buyers start looking at your home. Don’t wait until you have a potential buyer, because you may be waiting a lot longer if you don’t fix them first!

6. Appliances: If your appliances are old and outdated, replace them. Buyers don’t want to be faced with replacing appliances as soon as they move in, unless they get a HUGE discount on sales price! New stainless steel or black appliances already in place will reap a greater ROI!

7. Declutter & De-Personalize: Clear your house of clutter and personal photos, etc. Remove as much as possible from counters, shelves, and closets. Clean, open spaces make your home look bigger to prospective buyers. You’ve already made the decision to move, so start packing now!

8. Clean, Clean, and Clean some more: Your house should pass the “white-glove” test, daily! Hire a professional cleaning service to come for an initial deep cleaning, and then have them come back at least once a week while your house in on the market. Don’t forget blinds, ceiling fans, the top of the fridge, etc. Everything should be exceptionally clean & smell good when a buyer makes that all-important first impression visit.

Compliments of;

Julius F Zatopek III – Broker/Owner