Preparing Your Morgan Hill Home to "Sell"
No matter what your reasons are to sell, remember
that now is no time to dawdle, the process of preparing a home for
sale can take a month or more. So, here's how to start:
1. Take a Fresh Look at Your Home
Your home may look good from your point of view,
but a buyers perspective will be completely different. So take step back
and a fresh look at your home. Here's a quick guide to getting the more
objective look at your property.
- Take a drive
around the block and try to visualize your home & your neighborhood
as if seeing it for the first time. Consider your home's "curb appeal;"
does it need a new coat of paint? Is the driveway stained? Could it
use a bit of landscaping?
- Pull into
the driveway and take look at your property. Do the beddings need
weeding? Does the inside look dark from the outside?
- Take a fresh new look inside. Take a "Walk
Through" and imagine how a real estate agent would describe each room.
Look inside every cabinet, open doors, try the bathroom fixtures, turn
on light switches, even flush the toilet. Is everything in good working
order? Are there any visible signs of deterioration?
- Make a list of any potential red flags.
These are issues that buyers would see. Make another list of the areas
that are attractive about the house. Detach from your personal feelings
and be as critical as your buyer would be.
Keep in mind that the home has become a great place
for you, will it compare against other existing homes as well as an array
of new homes on the market? If your home is in good condition, you'll
be in the running to sell your home at or above market value in today's
dynamic real estate market.
2. Clean Out the Clutter Before You Start to Sell
Before putting your home on the market, get rid
of clutter in every area -- closets, attic storage, kitchen cabinets,
drawers, bath vanities, shelves -- everywhere. Remember, this is no time
to be sentimental: if you don't use it, lose it. Potential buyers are
seriously put off by clutter, and most of us drag a lot more things through
life than we really need.
Also, don't forget the furniture and fixtures
when getting rid of clutter -- most of us put too much in too little
space, which makes a buying prospect think your home is too small.
Then, have a great moving sale with all the
stuff you've collected and use the proceeds for paint or whatever
other materials you need for repair projects. If you just can't bear
to part with some possessions, store them in the attic or some other
place that's out of sight to a potential buyer.
3. To Sell, Sell, Sell -- Clean, Clean, Clean
After you've cleared out the clutter, it's time
to really clean. Have the carpets professionally cleaned, strip and polish
the floors, scour the bathrooms, go over the laundry room, polish the
furniture, scour out the cabinets, wash the windows and window coverings,
and spiff up the ceiling fans and kitchen appliances. In short, clean
everything.
Don't forget the exterior; paint or pressure
wash everything that needs the work. Remember, this is a ceiling-to-floor,
roof-to-foundation clean-up project.
4. Get More for Your Morgan Hill Home: Repairs Pay
Off
After you've cleaned the place to within an inch
of its life, the next project is making all the repairs necessary
to attract a buyer.
So, patch up the roof, touch up all the paint, repair
the screens, spruce up the porch framing, and make your entry area really
shine. Don't forget to water the lawn and landscape beds, and take the
time to trim, mow, edge and get rid of sick or dying plants. Inside,
fix the grout in the bathrooms and on tile floors, adjust any doors that
need it, fix any scratches on the walls, cover any stains, and be sure
to fix any plumbing problems. Remember, do what your home needs before
the first buyer appears at your door.
Also, it's a good idea to get all this done before
getting the real estate broker to make the first listing -- a good agent
will advise you on what needs to be done. Also, if you have friends willing
to be brutally honest about what your home needs to sell, invite them
to assess the fix-up needs.
There is, however, an alternative to the sweet equity
you get from a total fix-up --but it carries a price. An "as-is" sale
keeps you from doing all this work, but a buyer will assess about twice
the price you would have paid for the repairs. Then, the buyer will deduct
that amount from your asking price before making an offer.
5. Putting Your Home on the Market: Show It to
Sell It
After you've cleaned, shined, mowed, and generally
whipped your property into shape, it's time to attract a buyer.
Regardless of who markets your home, you or a broker,
there are other, small things you must do to attract buyers. For example,
even if it's bright daylight, open the blinds and turn on the lights.
Also, open all the interior doors to make the home appear more roomy.
Be sure to remove all your kids and pets -- they're cute, but a prospect
wants to see your home, not your pride and joy. In addition, make sure
your pet's litter pan is clean so the home smells clean and fresh, not
like air freshener. Remember, you need to make sure your home is available
to be seen by a prospective buyer with as little notice as possible.
That means less than an hour, or even five minutes, if possible.
6. Get a Sense of the Market
Before you put your home on the market, take
a weekend day to check out the competition: homes with similar prices
and in similar neighborhoods. Remember, you don't have to go out and
buy new furniture just to look like that beautiful new model in the new
development -- what you want is the feel of that new model -- clean,
uncluttered, and fresh.
Remember, after location, the most important item
a buyer is a well-maintained home. Many flaws can be overlooked if
the buyer knows he can move in without a lot of trouble and expense.
Information provided by
The American Homeowners Association, Copyright© 2004
Morgan Hill Real Estate services offered by Morgan Hill's Top Realtor:
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