Preparing your Home to sell

Preparing your Home to Sell

Getting your home ready for sale is one of the most important aspects in the process of marketing your home. While keeping the grass mowed and a new coat of paint are obvious enhancements that add value to the asking price; other improvements can add value as well.

Not all improvements add value to your home, but in general terms, most improvements will add value at a higher rate than the cost of the improvement. Of course, the ratio of the value of the improvement versus the cost of the improvement is highly dependent on the nature of the improvement and the location of your property. Also, some improvement can be viewed as assets and liabilities by various buyers. A buyer with children may view a swimming pool as an asset, while a retired couple may view this same improvement as a liability.

Home Renovations

In examining renovations, some interior renovations may add more value than others. Below are a few examples of renovations that tend to repay your investment with dividends.

Kitchen Remodeling - While this may sound stereotypical, even today's professional working housewives typically take a peek at the kitchen, first. While most men could care less whether a kitchen has more than a microwave, the average female buyer places great stock in the kitchen. Your first investment should be kitchen modernization, but you can go too far. Kitchens should feel large and "airy" with and updated design scheme. It is possible to over invest in costly appliances. While many consumers may recognize an expensive brand name, unless you point out that the "dishwasher was installed last week", the buyer may assume the appliances have been exposed to wear and tear.

Bathrooms - The second most critical area for improvement. If porcelain appears worn and scarred, rip it out, and install new. A $2-$3000 investment in the bathroom may garner the extra $8-$10,000 that you may be asking.

Landscaping - One of my favorite expressions is "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression". While kitchens and baths may be closers, the exterior of your home sets the tone for their visit from the start. While very few buyers expect the White House Rose Garden, a moderate landscaping plan can place the potential buyer at ease when they step from the curb. It creates positive first impressions rather than negative first impressions.

Carpet - I am a bit biased on this one, having built, authored, and developed The Carpet Buyers Handbook, as a one-man hobby. While design trends may come and go with respect to Hardwood flooring, ceramic tile, and other flooring options, the feel of carpet feels like "home". Installing new carpet is THE most cost effective return of investment you can make in the sale of your home. Whether the buyer intends to rip the new carpet out and install hardwood, the psychological impact of new carpet cannot be duplicated.

Family Room - With both family members working, children running to and from ballet and ball practice, the invention of Gameboy®, and families moving farther and farther apart, the family room remains the ideal Beaver Cleaver principal of keeping families together. A good Realtor® would probably verbally paint a picture of a family sharing the room and sharing in fellowship.

Other considerations for renovations include a third or fourth bedroom, central air conditioning, energy saving enhancements etc.

Home Repairs

Generally, it is best to fix and repair problems than to try to allow the problem to go unnoticed or to discount the selling price and allow the new owner to make the repair. While some new owners may welcome the discount, keep the money, and delay the repair; some potential owners may never make an offer on a home with obvious flaws.

You should never attempt to conceal obvious defects with cosmetic repairs. During closing, you may be asked to complete a disclosure statement. Should the new owner find concealed damage, you may be liable to pay for the repair of this damage.

Beautify Your Home

In preparing your home for sale you should keep your home in tip top shape during the entire sales process. This will probably be one of the most difficult things you will have to accomplish. You never know when a potential buyer may drive down the street and see your home. With any luck, the process will be quick and painless. Without proper preparation, keeping your home ready for sale at all times can become a full-time job. The following items are just a few things to consider in keeping your home ready for visitors 24/7

Honey Do Preparation List
Exterior
	Lawn
		Toys picked up	]
		Trash and leaves removed	]
		Grass Mowed and edged	]
		Shrubs watered	]
		Hoses neatly rolled	]
	Drive and Walkways
		Swept/blown	]
		edged	]
	Patio
		Swept/blown	]
		edged	]
	Pool/Spa
		Clean	]
		Sanitized	]
	Entries
		Clean/Swept	]
		Floor mat clean	]
		hardware polished	]
		walls clean	]
		window clean	]
		lights dusted	]
		Wood door oiled	]
		Door freshly painted	]
Interior
	Rooms
		Clutter picked up	]
		Furniture clean	]
		carpet clean	]
		lights dusted	]
		walls clean/painted	]
		windows clean	]
	Bathroom
		Floors clean	]
		Tub/sinks/shower clean	]
		lights dusted	]
		hardware polished	]
		grout clean	]
		windows/mirrors/glass cleaned	]
	Kitchen
		Floors clean	]
		Sink clean	]
		lights dusted	]
		hardware polished	]
		grout clean	]
		windows/mirrors/glass cleaned	]
		Appliances clean	]
		Cupboards neatly arranged	]
		Dishes clean and put away	]

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