Preparing to Sell

So you're thinking of selling your home? How ready are you?

The first step is to take a careful look at your home from the perspective of a buyer who has no emotional connection to it - yet! What "quirky"things about your home have you grown accustomed to that a fresh set of eyes might find objectionable? In general a thorough cleaning and cosmetic adjustments should be addressed to increase the appeal of your property. Mechanical repairs should be tended to if you intend to ask top dollar for your home. Capital improvements should be avoided as you are unlikely to get your money back for a new roof or that addition you've been thinking about! Improvements might be grouped into the following categories:

Enhancing Curb Appeal

Prospective buyers will form their initial impressions of your property before they've stepped out of their agent's car! To ensure that your homegives a strong first impression, consider the following:

• Be sure the grass has been clipped, all hedges trimmed, flower beds weeded, and driveway and walkways edged and swept;
• Remove spider webs, wash the woodwork and clean windows around the front and back entry;
• Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door;
• Examine the exterior for cracks that can be filled and touched up;
• Consider adding colorful annuals to flower beds and pots or planters in impressionable areas such as the front entrance, patios or porches;
• Keep your garage door closed;
• Examine your roof for missing shingles and repair as needed;
• Examine siding and windows for peeling paint and gaps that could be filled with caulk and touched up; and
• Remove items including toys, old cars in the driveway or items in the yard that contribute to a cluttered look.

But I Don't Have Clutter!

You probably do! We all do! If you're like many homeowners, the amount of "stuff" you own tends to expand to fill the available space in the absence of a conscious effort to keep things under control!

What is clutter? Clutter can be excess furniture, appliances on countertops or souvenirs and knick-knacks - anything that reduces the perceived size of the room, prevents a free flow through the house, or distracts a prospective buyer from visualizing what their belongings would look like there. Find some empty boxes, examine the flat surfaces in your home (including floor space) and consider the following suggestions:

• Pack up souvenirs and family photos that personalize your home and make it difficult for prospective buyers to see themselves there;
• Reduce the number of knick-knacks on mantles, tables and other flat surfaces;
• Free up your kitchen countertops by eliminating items you can do without, and even those you need, to open up the space;
• Consider storing some pieces of furniture if they obstruct the flow or appear to cramp a room; rent a storage locker if you have a lot of stuff!
• Resist the temptation to pack your newly filled boxes in closets or the garage!
• Assess the status of your closets and garage!
• Now take another pass through your home, and as you assess each room, ask yourself if items that are left are adding to the appeal of your home.

Continue removing items until you are pleased with the results. Ask your family or friends to give their input, as well as your agent. Just don't take their feedback personally if you ask for their advice and their responses are candid! Your ultimate goal is to increase the appeal of your home to the largest audience possible. Stay focused!

Enhancing Interior Appeal

Many buyers are not able to visualize how different the interior will look after you've moved out and the color of the walls have been changed to suite their tastes. To increase the appeal of your home to a broader spectrum of buyers, consider the following:

• After removing the clutter, give each room a thorough cleaning;
• Clean walls and repaint if necessary to give dark or dingy rooms a fresh look;
• Use of color in home interiors is very cyclical, and while bold colors in a well-decorated room can make a dramatic impression, dark colors may create a dreary mood in the absence of good natural lighting. Consider repainting primary rooms with more neutral tones if you are concerned.
• Address items such as trash cans, pet beds and litter pans that add odor to the air; change frequently and consider potpourri to freshen the air;
• Check for signs of dampess under sinks, around toilets and in the basement and correct any findings;
• Replace any broken window panes, patch and touch up large cracks in the walls, and update hardware pulls in the kitchen if necessary; and
• Replace burnt out light bulbs to ensure rooms have good lighting.

Mechanical Repairs

It's also important to create the impression that your home has been loved and well-maintained. It will behoove you to evaluate your home for the following issues and correct any findings:

• Make sure leaky faucets have been corrected and toilets don't run after flushing;
• Ensure bath tubs and shower stalls drain properly, are well-caulked and that no mildew is present; and
• Address any wiring problems that prevent light fixtures or appliances from working.

If you're gotten this far, you're well on your way!

Next step: Finding an agent!