Selling a home

Curbside Appeal

A home that’s visually appealing and in good condition will attract potential buyers driving down the street. Use this checklist to view your property through an outsider’s eyes.

• Are the lawn and shrubs well maintained?
• Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways?
• Does the driveway need resurfacing?
• Are the gutters, chimney and walls in good condition?
• Do the window casings, shutters, siding or doors need painting?
• Are garbage and debris stored out of sight?
• Are lawn mowers and hoses preperly stored?
• Is the garage door closed?

On the inside

Strong curb appeal will lure potential buyers inside, where you have to live up to their expectations. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy improvements you can make to your home’s interior without spending a lot of money. Cleaning is No. 1. Your windows, floors and bathroom tiles should sparkle. Make sure you have clean heating and air conditioning filters. Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors. Keep your home neat, clean and picked-up at all times. It may not seem fair, but a peek in the oven may be the hallmark by which a buyer judges how well you have kept up your home.

Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, basement, attic, closets and straighten stored items. Also remove any items that might make a statement that would be offensive to others who may not share your same views, beliefs or sense of humor. If your home is crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into storage. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral off-white. Think, too, about how your home smells. You may be used to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odors can be a strong turn-off to others. Be certain to remove valuables such as jewelry and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a safe deposit box before showing your home. Finally, set a mood for the buyer. Make your house homey with live flowers and fresh guest towels in the bathroom.

Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive. In fact, costly home improvements do not necessarily offer a good return on your investment when you sell. It’s attention to the basics—anything that says “this home has been carefully maintained”—that will help you get the price you want.

Showing your home

Here are some good tips to make your home showing sucessful:

• Make sure that every member of the household knows what to do when a request to show the home happens on short notice. This ensures that the house can quickly be made ready without people getting in each others way.
• Make the house BRIGHT! Open shades and blinds and let the natural light into the home. Turn on indoor lights.
• Ensure that your home smells good. Some agents recommend baking cookies before a showing. The key is to have the house smelling fresh. Greasy cooking odors, Pet, or smoke will be a turn off for a buyer. Air out the house before a showing and if the weather is nice, keep the windows open but the home should remain at a comfortable temperature.
• Two words: NO CLUTTER!
• The house must be clean, especially the kitchen and bathrooms. Chrome, porcellin, and floors should be spotless. If you have a pet, make sure the cat box and back yard are free of waste. Pets should not be underfoot during a showing either, it detracts from the home.
• Let the agent do their job! You are paying them to sell your home. If possible, leave. If you must be in the home, be inconspicious.

My Home's Value

Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But, at the same time, you don’t want to scare off potential buyers with a price tag that’s too high. Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the market for months. Reducing your asking price later on may lead buyers to wonder if there is something wrong with your home. Here are some of the factors to consider in pricing your home.

• Your location
• Economic conditions
• Supply and demand in the local housing market
• Seasonal influences
• Local schools
• Average home prices in the neighborhood
• Your home's extras -- pool, fireplace, central air, etc.

To determine the value of your home, you probably will want the advice of a real estate agent or appraiser. Ask an agent to prepare a market analysis for you, showing the recent selling prices of three neighborhood properties comparable to your own. The agent can help you adjust for the unique features of your own property.