Other Links

• Login
• Contact Us

PROPERTY THAT SELLS ITSELF

Curb Appeal

The art of selling your home begins at the curb. What is the potential buyer seeing as he and/or she approaches your home with the thought in mind that it might one day soon be theirs? The exterior of your home should start generating excitement in potential buyers from the moment they pull up in front of the house.

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “curb appeal.” Simply put, if a home has curb appeal it attracts the buyer at first sight. They’re already saying to themselves, ‘I think my friends and relatives would be impressed pulling up in front of this.’ So how do you achieve “curb appeal”? Here are some tips that can help.

• Be sure your lawn is neatly cut and edged.
• Plant flower beds with seasonal plantings and be sure they’re mulched.
• Make sure the walkways, driveway, lawn and flower beds are free of any debris.
• Fencing and decks should be in good repair and freshly painted or stained.
• Your front steps should cleared of everything with the exception of a mat for wiping your feet and perhaps some decorative planters. Don’t crowd the entryway!
• Paint your front door and door frame and polish metal doorknobs and lock mechanisms.
• Clean window glass!
• Organize, put away toys, bicycles, etc.

The Inside Info

Now your potential buyers have stepped into your entry way. What do you want them to see? The first impression you want to give is a feeling of spaciousness. If your home is not large to begin with this spacious feeling is harder to achieve but it can be compensated for with a little effort. In either case, the key to the feeling of space is to keep it free of clutter. Clutter gives the impression that there is no room to put anything away.

Next, the walls should be freshly painted in white or LIGHT, pale colors. That plum colored accent wall might do wonders to set off your furniture but it could also be enough to turn off a potential buyer. It’s far easier for them to imagine their own furniture against a light color palette if they don’t have to mentally block out your color scheme first. Also, they might see a lot of work ahead of them if they have to cover up dark colors.

Family photo on tables and hung on walls should be packed away – out of sight. Your main objective is to make the buyer feel as though he can easily identify with the house. This is far more difficult with objects that relate the house to you and your family lining tabletops and walls.

What do those carpets look like? Are they freshly shampooed and clean? If not, make it a point to rent a good rug shampooer. If possible, get rid of worn, discolored or stained carpet and refurbish the wood underneath with a good wood restorer and put down a reasonably priced area rug.

When showing the house, always keep the blinds and shades open to let in the sunlight. A house always looks homier with sun streaming through the windows. Bright rooms make people feel good. And your windows should be CLEAN.

Clean out storage closets. If necessary, rent some storage space. Start your packing early with things you don’t use on a regular basis. Your rooms and closets will look bigger and the house will appear roomier.

The Kitchen/Dining Area

Here again, clutter should be avoided at all costs. A lot of small appliances on the countertops give the impression of less workspace and less storage space. Scrub sinks and countertops. Make sure your floors are CLEAN and waxed or polished if necessary.

Weed out unused pots, pans, dishes and utensils and pack them away. Buyers will be checking your cabinets for roominess and the more free space they see the roomier your kitchen will seem. If you are selling the refrigerator, dishwasher, washer or dryer with the house they should all be cleaned inside and out.

The smell of baked goods in the air always makes people feel at home. This can also be achieved by lighting an apple pie or cookie dough scented candle shortly before buyers arrive. Whenever possible, try to avoid cooking foods with strong, lingering odors like fish or broccoli.

The Bathrooms

One word . . . SCRUB! Make believe the in-laws are coming for the weekend and scrub down tile, shower enclosures, sinks and commodes. Keep toilet articles out of sight and vanities clear. Repair dripping faucets. Make sure your mirrors are gleaming. Hang fresh, fluffy towels and put out new guest soaps. If you have room, a vase of fresh or silk flowers will they will add to the attractiveness of the room.

The Bedrooms

Now is the time to prune out the closets and, yes, if you haven’t worn it in two years, THROW IT OUT! Prospective buyers will naturally want to look in the closets so don’t be surprised if they just grab the closet doorknob and yank it open. They fully expect that their tour of your home includes every nook and cranny of it. And don’t surprise them by having an avalanche of all the clutter you were trying to hide fall on them. The closets should look as though there will be plenty of room for their things.

Pack up out of season clothing and bedding and store it away neatly in the basement, attic or off-site. This will make your closets look roomier.

Make sure windows are clean and sparkling. Sunny rooms are inviting.

Attics and Basements

Even though people expect that these areas will be used for storage try to keep it to a minimum. And store what you have in clean, neat boxes or plastic storage containers. Vacuum away cobwebs and make the space appear as if it’s used on a regular basis. If your basement is finished and used as a family or recreation room, the same rules apply as for the rest of the living quarters. Clean, bright and clutter-free.

Outdoor Living Space

There is probably no other area of the home that pays a return of investment dollars like outdoor living space. It is as much a part of your home as your dining room or family room. Decks and patios can be decorated with the same loving attention to detail and it will pay off when you’re selling your home. Hanging baskets and planters full of flowers, neatly trimmed and edged grass and flower beds make even more of an impression in an area where the family will spend quality leisure time.

Fix It First

If your roof needs repair or you have a plumbing leak fix it before you put your house on the market. Also, repair the evidence of the damage. If you don’t, it may be perceived as a continuing problem.

Part of every home purchase is an inspection by a licensed real estate inspector. If there are problems with your home – and there will always be some – it is his or her job to report those problems to the prospective buyer. Some of those problems may cost only a few dollars to fix to everyone’s satisfaction. Some can be deal breakers. Repair of major problems should be taken care of before you pound that FOR SALE sign into your front lawn or they had better be listed on your Seller’s Disclosure Statement to avoid legal problems down the road.

Pets

You love them and they are part of the family however, pets should be out of sight when showing your home. Many people are not animal friendly or, they may have allergies. They may simply be frightened of animals and not realize that your 120 pound pooch is a big pushover. Animals can also become unpredictable with strangers coming in and out of the house and may scratch, bite or run out the door. The last thing you want to do is have a stranger in the house while your pet is running down the block.

Confine your dog in the back yard. If that’s not possible, see if you can get a neighbor or family member to pet-sit during showings. If you schedule your appointments you can have cats, ferrets or other small furry creatures secured in a pet carrier for the 20 or 30 minutes it takes to show the house. You don’t want to close off a room because your pet is in there. The prospective Buyer will need to see all of the rooms.

Put pet toys away neatly and hide litter boxes. Remove animal odors with carpet fresheners and room deodorizers. Whenever possible, open the windows and let the fresh air into the house.

The Garage

Your garage is one of your property’s biggest assets. DON’T WASTE THIS MONEYMAKER! Clear out the junk and sweep it clean. Try to get rid of any oil or other fluid stains which may have dripped from your car or lawn mower. Make sure it’s freshly painted inside and be sure the garage door is in good working order.

Put up shelving or organizers. Gardening tools should be stored neatly. Get rid of old paint, pesticide and solvent cans (in accordance with your town’s ordinances). Make decisions about that old furniture you’ve been storing out there. Throw it out, sell it at a garage sale, donate it or put it in a self-storage unit. The garage should look just as bright, clean and roomy as the house. Replace any burnt out light bulbs and clean the glass on any windows.

HAVE A GARAGE SALE

Advertise your garage sale for free on YourRealEstateClassified.com!

Having a yard or garage sale is a wonderful way to get rid of a lot things you no longer want but someone else may have a use for. Not only do they free up space in your home, they’re a great source of a little “fun money.”

Here are some ways to make a garage sale go smoothly:

• Check with your local municipality to see if a permit is required and what there regulations are regarding the posting of signs in the neighborhood.
• See if some of your neighbors would like to participate. More stuff to sell attracts more buyers. Having the extra helping hands also makes it easier to help customers get larger items to their cars and there is someone there to watch over things when the time comes for lunch breaks.
• Price your items ahead of time. Color-code the removable price stickers if more than one family participates in the sale. This will let your “cashier” know who to credit for the sales.
• Make sure you have lots of change on hand so your first few customers with only $20 bills don’t take all of your small bills.
• Set up your merchandise on folding tables so buyers don’t have to root through boxes.
• Have a supply of bags on hand and wrapping materials for delicate items.
• Run an extension cord outside so people can test electric items without going into your house or garage.
• Keep pets away from the sale area and customers.
• Keep the doors to the house locked at all times.

Some Other Helpful Hints

Pests – If there are ants in the house, bee or wasp nests on or around the house – get rid of them!

Upgrading and Repairing – In many cases you can upgrade a kitchen with a local small contractor, building supply store cabinets, lighting and flooring for say, $5,000 to $10,000. If your current kitchen is outdated a buyer may be told it will cost him $15,000-$20,000 to replace it. You may not make a profit on the expense but you may sell your house faster and at a better price.

Small $ Investments - Big $ Rewards

• nvest in a few cans of paint to freshen up tired looking interiors and exteriors.
• Invest in some closet organizers.
• If necessary, rent some storage space for extra but unnecessary pieces of furniture and articles of clothing.
• Repair dripping faucets.
• Some seasonal plantings and mulch can make the difference between a ho-hum first impression and a pride of ownership feeling.
• Rent a carpet shampooer for a day.
• Put down an attractive area rug to replace (not cover) worn, stained carpets.
• If your schedule doesn’t allow you a lot of time for vigorous cleaning – hire someone to do it for you. It WILL pay off in the end.

Keep in mind that the more attractive your home is to a prospective buyer, the less inclined they will be to talk you down in price. In many cases a can of paint will go a long way in negotiating the best price for you. (And the less they’ll have to bargain with; i.e., “Oh, the place needs so much work,” or “Well, the first thing we’ll have to do is rip up this carpeting. That’s going to cost us.” It’s NOT going to cost THEM. It’s going to cost YOU!!!)

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR PROSPECTIVE BUYERS

Having a list of detailed information about your home will come in handy when the Buyer’s questions come. Your list should include:

• Lot size
• Deed restrictions
• Easements
• Zoning
• Annual Real Estate Taxes
• Age of home
• Room Sizes
• Type of Heating
• Type of A/C
• Copies of Condo/Co-Op By-Laws

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

A lot of little things in your home that aren’t just “quite right” might not seem like a big deal to you. You can live with them every day and not think much about them. However, you have to look at your home through the eyes of your prospective Buyer. All of these little things are going on his or her mental list of problems they’ll have to address before they could feel at home in your space. Spending a few hours and a few dollars sprucing things up will speed up your sale by removing a lot of nagging little problems from the mind of your Buyer.

Stand in front of your house and look at it as if you’ve never seen it before. Make believe you’re a potential buyer and with a critical eye begin going over your home from the curb inward.

How does the landscaping show?

• Hedges trimmed?
• Gardens weeded and mulched?
• Lawn edged neatly?

When you look at the house, check:

• Exterior – Are any repairs or painting needed?
• Gutter and Downspouts – Rusted or loose?
• Roof line – Sagging or missing shingles?
• Entrance – Door need painting? Brass need shining? Mailbox in good shape?
• Windows – Clean? Any broken or cracked windows?
• Window screens – Torn, dirty or in need of repair?

Continue your inspection around the exterior of the house and through the side and back yards.

Inside your home, walk through each room.

• Switch plate covers – Clean? Cracked or need to be replaced? Working?
• Door knobs – Tight and working properly?
• Light fixtures – Clean and working?
• Walls and Ceilings – Plaster need to be repaired? Fresh coat of paint needed?
• Bathroom tiles – Are there any missing or cracked? Does it look freshly scrubbed?
• Faucets – Dripping?
• Tile flooring – Are any missing or cracked? Do they look clean?
• Wood floors – Do they need to be refinished or maybe just cleaned and polished?
• Carpeting – Will they need shampooing or replacing?
• Appliances – If you’re planning on selling them with the house, are they clean inside and out?

A prospective Buyer is making note of these things as they walk through your home. Addressing these problems before the Buyer sees your house can keep him from walking away with a list of 30 things he’ll have to do when he buys your house.

If necessary, hire a cleaning company to come in and professionally clean your home. Many areas have “handy-man” services with very talented people who know how to replace broken window, screens, tiles, etc. If spending $500 means you’ll have to make one less $1,500 mortgage payment because your house sold faster, you’ve just saved yourself $1,000!

SOME MORE HELPFUL HINTS

Reducing Energy Costs

Keep the exterior colors of your house light. Light colors reflect the sun and keep interior temperatures lower.

Install programmable thermostats. You can cut your heating bills by setting your thermostat at 68 degrees when you are at home during the day, 64 if you’re out of the house and turning it down to 60 degrees at night. Look for a thermostat that allows you to program daily or weekly cycles (and also gives you the ability to override the program when necessary). These can be easily installed by removing your old thermostat and reconnecting 2 or three low voltage wires. Simply following the instructions that come with the unit.

Reducing the temperature on your thermostat by even 1 degree can lower your heating costs as much as 4% depending on the type of heating fuel you use and the energy efficiency of your house. Plug drafts around doors and windows. Make sure your fireplace flue is closed. Caulk around windows and run weather stripping around doors to keep heat and cool air from escaping. Ceiling fans are a great way to keep rooms feeling cooler without turning up the air-conditioning.

Zoned heating/cooling allows you to control the temperatures in those areas of the house in which you spend the most time and save money by not heating or cooling unoccupied areas of the house. Use humidifiers in the winter. Not only does the humidity make the air feel warmer, it keeps your skin and furniture from drying out.

If your air conditioner isn’t cooling properly, check the filter. You should do this regularly during the summer months. Clean or replace the filter when needed. Also make sure the condensation drain is clear. Check to see that the condenser and evaporator coils are clean.

Bad Smells in Your Kitchen?

To remove smells from your microwave add the juice of one small lemon to 1 cup of water in a 1quart microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for about 5 minutes making sure the water doesn’t evaporate. Steam will condense on the inside of the microwave. Carefully remove the bowl using potholders and wipe off the condensed steam with paper towels.

Slice up the remaining lemon peel and put it your garbage disposal along with some baking soda to remove odors.

Strange Noises?

That thing going bump in the night could be a water pipe. Water being turned off and on or steam moving through heating pipes can cause the pipes to move. If they come in contact with wood or another pipe or piece of metal in the house the noise can be annoying. First check to see if there are pipe straps to hold the pipes in place. If all of the straps seem to be in place, check your water pressure. It may be too high. Most plumbing supply stores carry a gauge which will tell you the number of pounds of pressure under which your water is flowing. Simply screw the gauge onto an outside water tap. 60 – 65 pounds is usually adequate for residential use.

For squeaky wood flooring, locate the boards that squeak. Sprinkle a little talcum powder between the boards and walk over the spot a few times. Reapply as needed.

Quick Fixes

To get black heel marks off floor tile or linoleum try a pencil eraser. For more stubborn marks try a tar remover.

To remove ink stains try rubbing the affected area with some baking soda. Pour some white vinegar over the area and blot it with a towel. You may have to repeat the steps a few times to get all of the ink.

Stripped wooden screw holes can be easily made useful again by gluing a toothpick or two in the hole and snapping them off at the edge of the hole. Allow the glue to dry and then reinsert the screw.

Use rubbing alcohol on your bathroom mirrors to remove hairspray film.

You squeezed the toothpaste tube too hard and now you’ve got toothpaste all over the sink. Grab a paper towel and use the paste to clean the sink. It works wonders.