Is my home ready for sale

Is my home ready for sale?

Just because you're ready to sell, that doesn't mean your home is ready for sale. There are many aspects to selling a home; the preparation process is only one of them.

To prepare your home for sale, you'll need to do one of the most difficult things anyone can do - be completely objective. Make a serious assessment of your home. If it is being sold through an MLS Realtor®, you'll have expert help in this process. Realtors® are able to take in all of the details of a property, and then quickly assemble the facts. The assessment process is the most difficult one for a seller. How many of us are really able to look beyond the years of happiness, family gatherings, and milestones reached in our home and be able to see the faded paint, crayon marks, worn rugs, scuffs, scratches, dents, dings, and even remnants of Fido?

What does my house look like from the street?

Get out your notepad, as we start with a basic walk-through.

The view from the curb is the most critical. Whether your home is listed with a Realtor® on the MLS, or advertised by owner, if a picture is involved, buyers can be turned off before they even get into the car. Take a critical look from the curb. This is where promotional photos of your home will be taken from. How will it look through the lens? Does the house look tired, in need of some paint and repair? Overgrown? Lots of excess debris? Are toys or bikes strewn about? All of these things will make an impression on film or in person. So take a good look and prepare to make reasonable corrections. When you're happy with the results, hire a professional photographer to take marketing photos.

Outdoor Quick Tips:
	Keep the lawn mowed and edged, hedges neatly trimmed and the yard uncluttered
	Make sure the driveway and walkways are clear and free of leaves, snow, ice or debris
	Make sure the roof is free of leaks and loose or broken shingles
	Repair or replace any leaky or broken gutters
	Touch-up or repaint areas outside that are chipped or peeling
	Make sure your walk and driveway are free of cracks and potholes
	Fix or paint fencing as needed
	Take extra care in the entry. Be sure the front door works well., doesn't squeak or stick and looks good. Handles and knobs should be in good condition, doorbell working, and add a new doormat.

Okay, outside looks pretty good, what about inside?

When you walk into the house, what's the first thing that catches your eye? Be aware, this will also be the first to catch the buyers' eyes too. Is it positive or negative? Your answer could sum up the buyers' first assessment and set the pace for their overall impression of the house. Walking in with a negative feeling can make buyers skeptical before they've even had a good look around. An inviting feeling will draw the buyers in making them feel welcome.

Follow your home's natural flow as you walk down the halls and into the rooms. What do you notice? What repairs are needed? Is the house clean? Can some simple repairs be made or are major alterations needed? Does the home appear inviting? Is there much light from windows or lighting fixtures? How about if shown at night? Many buyers will remark favorably about a bright home - something often simple to remedy with proper window treatments, lighting, and awareness. How about smell? Does your home have any odor when you enter from outside? Scent is not always a detriment. Often it is used effectively to add atmosphere. On a cold day, entering a strange home, would you find the smell of bread baking in the oven, a roaring fire in the fireplace, or the gentle scent of spiced cider simmering on the stovetop inviting? What kind of images do these smells evoke? Keep in mind, the power of smell is often overlooked. But, remember, "eau de Fido" fresh from a romp in the local stream with a buddy or two can "odor" the scene for disaster.

Continue through your home making notes about what you see, smell, and even hear. Sounds too are important. If you've ever looked at a home near a firehouse, you know how critical sound can be, but there are subtler points to sound. Birds chirping can offer a soft pleasing sound, as long as they don't create a racket resembling a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock thriller, "The Birds." Light music can help create a warm atmosphere, but again, go easy. "Less really can be more." Be aware of any offensive noises, their origins, and consider what steps can be taken to eliminate or dampen them if they are not generally considered to be pleasant or usual.

Should I invest in any major improvements?

Some relatively small investments can net high returns, while others present a losing proposition, as we mentioned in the case of the in-ground swimming pool in the last chapter.

The best money spent is usually in the kitchen, often regarded as the most important room in the house. The bathroom comes in second. Money spent wisely in renovating the kitchen can go a long way in securing a sale. Fresh paint, new counters, new cabinets, and appliances all add value. However, use care in renovating strictly for the purpose of selling. Give careful consideration to what will quickly enhance appearance. New wallpaper or paint will help without a large investment. New paint and hardware can give tired or dated cabinets a fresher look. Bathrooms are also critical. Make sure they are kept clean. In poor condition, they detract heavily and can impact the sale price even more than the cost of repair. As with any improvement, select renovations carefully. You don't want to "over-improve." If you do, you'll either have to ask too much to be competitive, or lose some of the money, you had hoped your investment in renovations would gain.

Inside Quick Tips:
	Give walls and cielings a fresh coat of paint. Light neutral colors appeal most to buyers.
	Have carpets cleaned.
	Wash and wax bare floors.
	Remove or replace stained or torn wallpaper.
	Make the kitchen as clean, bright, and airy as possible.
	Replace curtains, clear off counters, put in higher watt bulbs.
	Fix windows, doors, or drawers that stick or creak.
	Repair broken windows.
	Fix leaky faucets and clogged or slow drains.
	Repair under-sink leaks and clean up damage from previous leaks.
	Make sure all mechanical systems and appliances are in good working condition.
	Clean out attic and garage.
	Avoid clutter. Less in a room makes it appear bigger.

Before making any major renovation decisions, seek out the help of a real estate professional. A Realtor® can offer you the best advice about getting the most for your home. Realtors® understand the needs of sellers as well as the wants of buyers and can give an unbiased opinion of your home's strengths and weaknesses while offering practical suggestions for maximizing its potential.

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