Prepare to Sell
Very few people will buy a house because they are attracted by fantastic bathrooms. Buyers do react to bathrooms that are not cared for, however, because they view them as a reflection of the overall condition of the property.
Many buyers know that plumbing repairs potentially represent a major expense. They get nervous about dripping faucets, loose tiles, and running toilets. Your pre-marketing preparations should include making sure that your plumbing is working properly and that any cosmetic damage caused by former leaks has been repaired.
Keep the bathroom spotless while your home is on the market. Get out the scouring powder, mildew remover, glass and tile cleaner and a scrub brush. Re-caulk around the tub and shower, if necessary. A new shower curtain, bath mat, and nice smelling soap can help give the buyer one more positive reason for liking your home!
Does your home have more than its share of dust bunnies? Do you have a "noticeable" kitty litter box and closets that provide "at your toetips" service when opened? If you are planning to sell your home, don't be offended by your Realtor's suggestions about what you should do to prepare your home for the market.
One of the major challenges that sellers face is keeping their home in top showing condition while it is on the market. Many sellers are busy and, understandably, have a hard time managing this task. In such situations we strongly recommend that you get professional help. If you already have a cleaning person, you may want to increase the cleaning frequency. Remember that not all buyers have a lot of imagination. They usually react emotionally to what they see, not to the possibilities that your home represents. If your home looks like it will require a lot of work, they may elect to keep looking. If your goal is to get your home sold as quickly as possible, and for top dollar, hiring a professional cleaner can pay high dividends.
Realtors sometimes receive calls from people who are asking for advice on what they should do to prepare their house for the market. They may have settled for living in a "less than optimal" circumstance for years, and are now going to spend money to make it nice for someone else to enjoy.
If you are considering painting, updating the kitchen, landscaping, or any other improvements that would increase your home's re-sale value, think about making those improvements while you are still there to enjoy them. Create your own dream kitchen or Jacuzzi, your garden deck, or restore your wood floors now. Maintaining your property well will make your home more enjoyable, will help maintain the property values in your neighborhood, and will expedite the sale of your home when you are ready for a move.
As you prepare your home for the market, keep in mind that some of the people who will look at your home may have small children. They are looking for a larger home with more bedrooms and a bigger yard.
Prospective buyers will be accompanied by a Realtor while touring your home, but that doesn't guarantee that the children will be supervised the entire time they are in your home. Every agent has a story of a little person grabbing a Steuben apple from a low shelf or of a toddler running full speed to the edge of a high deck. Preparing your home involves common sense, such as removing sharp or breakable objects from low shelves and making sure that any electric appliance don't have dangling cords that little hands can reach. If there is a possibility of falling from a porch or deck, place a visible note advising parents to supervise small children. Some sellers keep a few toys around to entertain young house hunters while their parents are looking at the house.
Four Reasons a Property Sells
1.LOCATION.
YOU have no control over the location of your home, but its location helps determine value.
2.PRICE.
YOU control this. The right price can only be determined by a well-researched computerized market evaluation. As a home seller, you should get a written market analysis comparing your home to similar properties that have recently sold and those currently on the market.
3.CONDITION OF PROPERTY.
YOU control this also. Your home’s condition is vital to a sale. A clean, well-maintained home enjoys a competitive edge over all the other homes on the market. You will sell faster and at a higher price if you “stage” your home to enhance its appeal.
4.THE REALTOR® YOU SELECT.
The REALTOR® advises you on the market conditions, pricing and staging recommendations, contracting, financing, title work, appraising, and closing activities. Just as you insist on an experienced well-prepared doctor to treat your family, you want a REALTOR® with a proven track record who does his homework representing you in the sale of your home. These are the reasons so many people choose a Rise Real Estate Parkway Perimeter REALTOR®.
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