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. We 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? We 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 – we 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. We 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.
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