Real Estate Trends and Tips … Getting Your House Ready to Sell

In today’s competitive market the best advice I give my clients is make your house appealing – better yet, make it sparkle. I know from experience that a well-polished house draws positive attention and will sell faster and for a higher price.

Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, they conclude that what they can’t see has probably also been maintained.

In preparing your home for the market spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren’t likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive “polishes” and “touch-ups” to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen.

Here is a checklist you may want to follow. Reap the rewards that minor home improvements can make! Questions, comments – please call me at 727-686-2859 or email me at estelia@estelia.com 

Maximize your home’s exterior and curb appeal

• Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly
• Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly
• Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling
• Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint
• Clean and align gutters
• Inspect and clean the chimney
• Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles
• Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking
• Re-seal an asphalt driveway
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door

 Maximize your home’s interior appeal

• Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This will make your house appear bigger and brighter.
• Hire a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.
• Remove the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting.
• If necessary, repaint dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige.
• Check for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness.
• Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
• Replace broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspect and repair the plumbing, heating, cooling, and alarm systems.
• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads.
• Spruce up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.