Getting Your Home Ready To Sell

EXTERIOR

Curb Appeal I can't tell you how many times I have had buyers disqualify a home based on a "drive-by". Therefore, it's crucial to spruce up the grounds and exterior of your home. Inspect the property and make a list of everything that needs sprucing up. When you are done, review the list & prioritize it based on cost, time commitment and over-all impact on 1st impression.

The Grounds Weed the flower beds, add mulch if needed. Trim the trees & shrubs so they don't look over grown. Make sure the grass is green, lush and manicured. Repair fences and any out buildings. Consider a landscaping/lawn service.

Front Entry Pay particular attention to the entry. It's the first thing the buyer will see. Make sure the door bell and porch lights work.

Exterior of Home Does the house need painting or caulking? Fix anything that is broken. Clean the gutters & windows and make sure everything looks neat & clean.

The Garage clean it out. Wash it down. Get rid of anything & everything you truly do not use.

INTERIOR

Sparkling Clean Shampoo carpets, wax floors, wash the walls, windows, blinds & lighting fixtures. Have the furnace/air conditioner serviced & replace the filters.

Kitchen & Bath These rooms are focal points. They need to be sparkling clean & uncluttered. Clear off and clean counter tops. Clean stove, microwave & refrigerator. Remove mineral deposits from shower walls and if necessary, re-caulk & re-grout.

Storage Areas The closets & all storage areas should be cleaned out. Get rid of anything you truly don't use. Sell it at a garage sale, give it to charity or throw it away, but in any event, get rid of the clutter! Remove out-of-season clothing. Organize clothes & shoes and clean out cabinets.

Repairs Replace burnt out light bulbs & repair dripping faucets, sticking doors & windows. Make sure all locks function properly. These minor problems raise red flags in the mind of the buyer. Consider a home inspection to uncover undetected problems. Also consider a home warranty.

General Appearance The less furniture, the larger a room looks. A lighter appearance also makes rooms look larger Raise the blinds, open the drapes and consider repainting dark colored rooms with light, neutral paint.

Written by : LARRY BALLARD, Broker/Owner, Total Solutions Realty, LLC. 

Serving the needs of the Naperville, Plainfield & Oswego areas