1. First Impressions
Count
It's wise to make a good impression from the moment a potential buyer pulls up to the house, experts say. First
glimpses of the home will include the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.
Peeling trim could be a kiss
of death. Paint the exterior of the home in an odd color and you could lose their attention before they come inside. Don't
underestimate the importance of good lawn care, either.
"A lawn that looks good on the outside gives the impression
that someone cares about that home."
Professional advice is "keep it green and keep it cut." Mow the lawn about
three inches high at least twice a week when a home is on the market; two inches if the home is in a Southern state. The more
it is mowed, the denser it will become. And get on a fertilization program, starting at the beginning of the season.
Bypass store-bought
sod and instead borrow some grass from an inconspicuous place elsewhere on the lawn if there are small spots that need to
be filled in. The grasses will match better if they come from the same lawn. Early birds selling at the tail end of winter
should keep the sidewalks shoveled if there is snow on the ground.
2. Neutralize and Declutter
When it comes to preparing
a home's interior, any real-estate professional or stager worth their paycheck will advise a client to make a move to
more neutral colors in a home.
"People can't visualize beyond what they see. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory,
can also have an added advantage of making a room appear larger. Removing a home's clutter is also extremely important
in getting potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home.
Beyond that, do some basic spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets,
rebuff hardwood floors and oil any wood cabinetry.
3. Consider Replacement Projects
Sellers might also consider
having a home inspection done prior to listing the home as a way to detect any overdue replacement projects. A seller has
the option of either fixing the problem or giving the buyer a discount to account for the needed repairs, but professionals
advocate for making the necessary repairs before selling. Home buyers recognize the value of a house that doesn't need
major repairs.
The house is probably not going to sell, or you're not going to get all the value out it, if the new buyer knows
they're going to have to replace the roof sometime soon.
In fact, according to the 2006 "Cost vs. Value" report
from "Remodeling" magazine, a roof replacement for a midrange home had an average cost of $14,276, and returned
$10,553, or 73% at resale. A vinyl siding replacement had an average cost of $9,134, and returned $7,963, or 87% at resale,
according to the report.
A wood window replacement in a midrange home had a national average cost of $11,040, and $9,416,
or 85%, was recouped at resale. A vinyl window replacement had an average cost of $10,160 and returned $8,500, or 83%, at
resale. See the full report.
4. Kitchens and Bathrooms Rule
It's no secret that buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens
and bathrooms.
If the last remodeled was in 1980, that's going to be points against versus another house that was upgraded even
five years ago with sort of a modern look". It's hard to go wrong with a kitchen or bath remodeled unless you get
a little too far out with the design or the materials you use. That said, a seller with less than a couple years to spend
in a house probably isn't going to do a complete remodel of either room. Sellers should decide where rooms need the most
improvement, and then focus in on how much they want to spend.
If kitchen cabinets are structurally in good shape but their exteriors
are outdated, it might be worth the cost of having them refaced. If counters are old, maybe replacing them will add new life
to the room. In the bathroom, there are companies that specialize in resurfacing chipped and damaged bathtubs.
5. Warranty Coverage and Documentation
Sellers can provide some extra peace of mind to buyers by purchasing a home warranty
on their home that will cover such things as heating and plumbing should the buyer run into problems after closing. This option
has been a popular option these days. Warranties can be bought from numerous reputable companies that a Realtor can recommend.
By offering
these options you will set your self apart from the competition.
Professionals also recommend displaying the age of the water heater
and furnace; if either one is on the older side, have it inspected for proof that it works correctly. If replacement projects
have been done in the past few years, dig out the documentation to authenticate it. Also, explain if any of the improvements
have produced a cost savings in terms of energy usage.
is a service mark of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Equal Housing Opportunity 