Creating Curb Appeal: The value of curb appeal is in enticing drive-by buyers to want to come inside the home. The yard should at least be comparable to the neighborhood; the cost of a quick clean up by a landscape crew usually pays for itself through a faster sale near the asking price. Add a splash of color by planting annuals along the entryway. I will tell you if the exterior of the home needs any improvement.

Should You Make Repairs? A quick coat of paint and other relatively affordable cosmetic upgrades might take years off a home's appearance. A light neutral paint color has the broadest appeal and may also make rooms look larger. Will undertaking significant repairs prior to putting your home on the market generate the best return, or will selling your home "As Is" in it's present condition? I can help with that decision. Having a written estimate from a contractor helps alleviate buyers' fears of the unknown. Allowing the buyer to choose their own contractor relieves you of liability compared to pre-sale repairs, plus they can choose the materials. Consult with your agent before spending any money - I will advise you on how best to allocate your budget.

Cleaning Up Your Property: Keep your property tidy, clean, well-lit and smelling good. Your agent is able to see your home as a buyer will and can recommend how to show it in its best light. Often this requires removing memorabilia that you love but that others may see as clutter. Let buyers visualize their own belongings in the house. Turning on lights, even in the day time, makes your house appear more inviting, cheerful, and even spacious. A professional carpet cleaning can remove stains and odors that you may not notice but are immediately noticeable and often offensive to buyers who don't smoke or own pets.

Staging: A relatively new concept, agents may recommend staging so the home appeals to the widest audience. Do-it-yourself tips include putting out fresh flowers and baking fragrant cookies before an open house. Professional stagers may be called upon to rearrange or even refurnish the house with their own furniture inventory, particularly applicable for situations like vacant homes.

Disclosures & Inspections? One of your primary duties as a seller is to make a list of anything that should be disclosed to buyers. Real estate agents are familiar with the legal environment surrounding disclosures and will prompt you to develop thorough disclosure documents that will serve both you and the buyer in creating a sound and satisfactory transaction. Depending on the condition and age of your home, and the current real estate market, your agent may recommend you have a termite and pest inspection done before placing your home on the market. This can help avoid nasty surprises and broken contracts down the road.

Showing Your Home: It is important to leave your home while agents are showing it to potential buyers. I recommend you leave the showing of your home to professionals for several reasons. Buyers are more comfortable discussing the home's merits and drawbacks with their agent if you are not there; they might even feel like they are intruding if you are home. Your agent is experienced in dealing with others on your behalf and has a fiduciary duty to represent your interests in the best possible way; let them do the talking. This way, you don't accidentally volunteer information that your agent could use more strategically during negotiations.

Back to top