Let Them In
While we all believe our home is our castle, our personal tastes may not appeal to everyone. For
most consumers, purchasing a home is the largest investment they'll ever make.
So, take a look at your house as if you were a buyer - then take a look at the
Smart Seller Dos and Don'ts at the bottom of this webpage. Make notes on what
needs minor clean up, what needs major attention and what you can do about it
all. The key is to be honest with yourself.
When you're ready to sell, your RE/MAX associate will provide a complete
market analysis, draft a detailed listing agreement, offer recommendations for
making your home more "sellable," help you determine the best asking price,
provide a professional marketing program, promote your home on the Multiple
Listings Service (MLS), arrange regular home showings, review all prospective
buyer offers and negotiate the best terms possible. In other words, your agent
will work with you to ensure your home sale takes place as successfully as
possible.
The First Step
You know what they
say about first impressions. Now, take a look at your house as if you were a
buyer. With a critical eye, examine your home, inside and out. Determine what
can be solved by simple cleaning and what needs professional attention and
repair.
Let's start with the exterior of your home. Think of what you would like to see
when you're viewing a home. Or, better still, what you wouldn't like to see --
like cluttered yards, weed-choked gardens, loose or dangling exterior features
(like a broken door), peeling paint, broken fences, or an oil-stained, damaged
driveway. Get out your ladder and inspect the roof. Are the shingles in good
shape, are the gutters in good condition and free of debris? You may wish to
trim back any trees or shrubs that are leaning on your roof or drainage system.
Take a good, objective look at the outside. Would what you're facing entice you
to explore further - or compel you to run away? Simply having the lawn mowed or
the driveway shoveled in the winter will make a better impression. Also, remove
any "cute" lawn decorations that may make home viewers roll their eyes. And
trim any overgrown shrubs or hedges. If you have a sizable property, you may
also wish to hire a professional to weed and feed your lawn. Flowers are a very
effective way of adding color and warmth to your home. If you're selling during
the spring, plant flowers to make the property colorful and inviting. A bouquet
or two in your house also adds a nice touch.
The Next Step
You're inside the
home. Your five senses are alert. Is what you see clean and organized? Is there
any odor? Old shoes? Stale cooking? Garbage? Pets? If so, it could be a
deterrent to potential purchases. Bake cookies or simmer potpourri before your
home is shown to give your place a comforting smell. Also, clean your carpets
and air out your home. And speaking of carpets, cleaning them is fairly
inexpensive. Without the grit, and with the carpet pile looking fresh, your
home takes on a new appearance. While you're at it, take a broom around and
brush your walls and light fixtures to remove any cobwebs. Work your way from
the ground up. Wash the walls or repaint soiled areas. Touch up chips or
plaster nicks. If you've used dramatic designs or dark colors on your walls,
you may want to repaint for a more neutral appearance. Also check the ceiling
plaster and repaint it white if necessary.
Put extra emphasis on your kitchen and bathroom. Replace moldy shower curtains
and clean mold and mildew off of bathroom tiles. Caulk if necessary. Repair
leaky faucets and replace cracked toilet seats. Ensure that the toilet flushes
properly. Make certain that the drains are unclogged. Everything should sparkle
-- faucets, floors, counters, mirrors. What can be cleaned should be cleaned!
In the kitchen, clean the stove and refrigerator, organize the cupboards and
wash the floor. Make certain your appliances work. Wipe the walls, touch-up
paint or re-glue wallpaper if necessary. Clean the sink and ensure that it
drains properly and the faucet doesn't leak. (When your home is shown, make
sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink and don't forget to take the garbage
out!)
Check all the floors and stairs, and replace missing or damaged tiles. Does the
floor squeak? Are your stairs creaky? Are the handrails loose? Are there any
missing pieces Is there any wood rotting? Does the wood need a good sanding and
varnishing?
Examine all the doors and windows. That means all interior and exterior doors.
Look for structural or surface damage. Do the doors need repainting? Do the
hinges squeak? Are the doorknobs worn - and do they work? Are the windows
drafty or properly caulked? Are they easy to open? Are they clean? It goes
without saying that all windowpanes should be crystal clear and unbroken.
Now take a good look at the basement. If it's finished, make sure that it's as
spotless as the rest of your home. If it's used as a storage area, eliminate
the clutter and organize all boxes. (This will also help you with the move!)
Check for any signs of dampness. While you're at it, have the plumbing and
electricity checked. Are there leaky pipes or electrical outlets that don't
work? Have them repaired before you put your home on the market. Also, it's a
good idea to replace any broken switch or outlet covers and match switches and
covers to the room decor. Make sure the furnace and air conditioner work well,
too. Replace the furnace filter and have the furnace and air conditioner
professionally serviced.
Most importantly, don't just hide clutter. Buyers will look everywhere -- into
cabinets, under carpets, inside closets. (You think you had it bad with nosy
relatives poking around!) Plus, a clean house gives the impression of being
larger.
The Big Step
The primary purpose
of any home marketing program is to get prospective buyers inside your home -
and your RE/MAX associate is an expert at bringing them in.
Once you've prepared your home for sale, have your RE/MAX associate prepare a
home feature sheet. This is a one-page synopsis of your home that highlights
lot size, room dimensions, special features and upgrades, as well as general
utility costs and taxes. Prospective buyers will pick up a feature sheet and
refer to it frequently while viewing your home. It also makes for a great
reference sheet when the buyers are comparing properties.
The Open House is a unique and collective experience when numerous prospects
may visit and inspect your home. The upside is that you usually won't have to
be there to act as a guide. The downside is that you might have a series of
open houses over a few weeks, with people poking through all areas of your
home. And you'll have the constant reminders to keep your home looking its
best.
The Viewing is a private event that usually includes individual prospects and
their respective agents. When an agent has a client who is interested in your
home, they will first call to make an appointment with your RE/MAX agent. If
you're lucky, you'll have time for a little last minute tidying up. Of course,
you can always say "no" if the prospective buyer wishes to come at an
inconvenient time. Be sure to give the viewer and agent a feature sheet, along
with the freedom to wander around by themselves. The viewing agent will stay
with prospects to offer some insight and protection from theft or property
damage.
Smart Seller Do's & Don'ts
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