Tips for Preparing a Property For Sale
From
Ed Roux
978-590-8031
In summary, the major work of getting any house or condo ready to sell should focus on:
a) Cleanliness
b) De-Cluttering
c) Orderliness and Visual Presentation
d) Mechanical Functionality
SPECIFICS OF GETTING THE HOUSE READY (not all may apply to your particular situation):
1. What is the Buyer’s first impression of the exterior of my house?
a) Keep the lawn trimmed and edged. Make sure the yard is clear of debris. A few dollars invested at the local nursery to brighten up the flowerbeds will help.
b) First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure that it is clean and looks scrubbed and cleaned.
2. What would be the Buyer’s first impressions as they step inside my house? Do I need to improve it? Make sure everything is picked up and put away.
3. Can we see? Illumination is like a welcome sign. Replace all burned out light bulbs and failing fluorescent tubes.
4. Have arrangements been made so that all of the pets are under control and do not intimidate the Buyers? Dogs and cats need to be crated or, better yet, removed from the house during the showings. Buyers of other cultural backgrounds may have very different and strongly held views about pets in a home.
5. What about the windows? Are they clean inside and out? Do they work well? On thermopane windows, are there any broken seals that need to be repaired? Do any of the screens have holes or tears that need to be repaired? Are all of the screens in their proper positions? Any plastic or temporary winter coverings should be removed.
6. Are the wood, tile and vinyl floors clean and waxed?
7. Are all of the appliances, which will be conveyed with the sale, in good working order and clean?
8. DE-CLUTTER. Making a home look more spacious is one of the best things you can do to enhance its internal appearance. Remember that Buyers will be looking into closets and kitchen cabinets.
A) Can I take items from the kitchen cabinets to make them more spacious?
B) Can I remove or store excess furniture.
C) Can I take some of the clothes out of the closets to make them look roomier?
9. Keep the bedrooms arranged neatly. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.
10. Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make the room sparkle. Repair any dripping faucets. Cracked or corroded fixtures should be replaced. Discolored sinks will suggest plumbing problems. Also, don’t forget the outside faucets.
11. Are the garage and storage areas clean, neat and not cluttered?
12. Are the boiler, furnace, hot water and air conditioning units clean and in good operational condition? Having clean filters in place will improve the Buyer and Home Inspector’s opinion. Do the air vents or radiators need to be dusted?
13. Can electrical panels be easily accessed? Do all of the light switches and outlets work? Do any covers need to be replaced?
14. Finally, secure all jewelry, other valuable possessions, prescription medicines or guns (if any) that I might have around the house. It is best to remove or securely store these items before you start the process of showing the house.
NOW WE HAVE A PROSPECTIVE BUYER (WHAT DO I DO?) :
1. Only licensed real estate agents will show the house to prospective Buyers by appointment.
2. If a person comes to your door and presents himself or herself as a potential buyer who wants to see the interior of the house, do not let them into the house. They could be a security threat. Have them call the Listing Broker (me) to be qualified and set up a scheduled visit.
3. Should I stay out of a prospective Buyers way?
· Three is a crowd! Let the Broker conduct the tour and showing.
· Having too many people present during a showing or inspection will make the Buyer feel like an intruder and they will hurry through the house.
· If you must stay in the house during a showing, be courteous but do not force a conversation with the Buyer….They are inspecting the house and not making a social call. Please stay in the background and allow the Broker to demonstrate and discuss the features of your property. The Brokers strive to know the desires and needs of the Buyers. Therefore, the Brokers will tend to point out those features that will be of higher importance to the Buyers.
4. In the case that you are home, if the prospective Buyer or the Broker attempts to start a conversation with you, please do not discuss price, terms of possession or financing. Just tell them that they need to contact me, the Listing Broker, for answers to their questions. Anything that the owner says about the property is a formal legal representation about the property. Therefore, these situations are best avoided.
5. Is the house “picked up” before I leave?
6. Let the Buyer and Broker talk free of any disturbances. Turn off all TV’s, radios, computers and music before you leave the house.
7. Are the pets under control? Will they leave the house or are they crated?
8. Can they see? The potential Buyer will feel glowing warmth and perceive the house as brighter when you turn on all of your lights (even during the daytime) prior to any showing rather than having the Broker turn them on when they move through the house.
Now that you have read all of this, please try to relax. The sale of your house is both one of the most periods stressful and exciting periods during life.
Both the Century 21 Landmark Realty team and I will do everything possible to make the sale and transition as quick, smooth and easy as possible for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to call me, Ed Roux,
at 978-590-8031
