10) Mulch the landscaping right before you list your home for sale and the pictures are taken for the brochure, advertising, flyers, and internet. The freshness shows you care about the curb appeal.
9) Get your a/c and heater inspected and on a service plan. Companies such as John Burg’s Air Depot (832-358-5050) offer two annual inspections and a cleaning for one low price, is transferrable to your new home, or can be transferred to the new owner as an extra incentive when negotiating. Buyers want to know that the maintenance on key systems has been cared for, rather than guessing.
8) Trim your tree limbs to three feet or more from the roofline. Inspectors note that tree limbs rubbing against shingles can shorten the lifespan of the roof and possibly cause damage and leaks. Trimming them also allows more natural light to enter windows for better pictures and showings.
7) Add solar-powered landscape lighting next to the walkway and/or driveway. Not only does it have a safety feature you can promote and is relatively inexpensive, it is virtually maintenance-free and enhances curb appeal.
6) Paint the garage floor. Garage floor paint is found in many stores including Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and Home Depot and not much is needed. A clean garage appeals to many buyers, who may want to use the space as a home gym, build a workbench, or store a classic car.
5) Have a chimney sweep inspect and if needed, clean your chimneys. Again, buyers like knowing that you have maintained key systems and certainly a fireplace, with the inherent risk fire provides, is worrisome to some buyers who have never owned a home with a fireplace. Set their minds at ease by providing an inspection and cleaning receipt with your seller’s disclosure.
4) Stain the fences. It may take a weekend and some elbow grease, but the end results set your home above the competition in pictures and in person. The curb appeal is immediate and immense.
3) Neutralize your home’s odor. Pet odor, smoke, strong foods such as curry or fish, and diaper pails make buyers walk through much faster and not linger to see the beauty within the home. Steam cleaning the carpets and furniture, sprinkling baking soda in garbage cans, kitty litter, and in the sinks, and a well-planned popping of popcorn before a showing can create a more attractive ambiance.
2) Have your home treated for pests, either existing or preventatively. Provide the receipts along with your seller’s disclosure. Buyers love seeing that the current owners have kept up with the little details that affect the comfort and safety of the buyers.
1) Be aware of what price the competition is offered and selling. High expectations for price, no matter how beautiful the listing or incentives offered, can keep your home on the market for longer, becoming a stale listing. Overly ambitious sellers end up paying more in mortgage payments and utilities waiting to sell than pricing well to start and moving into their next home sooner. Do you want to list your home, or do you want to sell your home?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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