Have you been thinking about SELLING your home? Spring is just around the corner and now is the time to get busy on that “Honey-Do” list that often have a minimal upfront cost with a maximum return! As a Realtor, there is no greater reward than assisting a family or individual CREATE A PLAN FOR SUCCESS. Here are 3 EASY STEPS to follow in prepping the house for sale:
STEP I – It’s time to purge!
I know it may seem daunting but trust me it will be one of the most liberating things you do! Now is the time to decluterize and set some of your collectibles free for the enjoyment of others. There are excellent organizations just waiting to accept donations and many offer pickup services – Big Brother & Sisters, Salvation Army, Goodwill etc. There are also professional removal services like Junk Luggers or 1-800 Got Junk as well as local companies offering a similar service. Professional organizers are also a great resource to help you sort your three categories – keep, toss, donate.
Something else to consider is selling items on Facebook Marketplace – I have had a lot of success doing this! Post things for “free” – you would be amazed at home quickly you will get a response. Of course, another option is to have a yard sale or “tag sale”. I love a good tag sale but keep in mind that items priced “to sell” will do just that – SELL. Keep prices low and have fun watching other people give life to some of your treasures which were hidden in the attic or basement!
STEP II – It’s time to put in some sweat equity! Roll up your sleeves and tackle the following:
- Edge, mow and fertilize the lawn. Reseed sparse areas.
- Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees. Cut back overgrown shrubbery.
- Reseal cracks in foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios. Power-wash the exterior.
- Clean and align gutters and downspouts; clean the chimney.
- Remove oil stains from driveway and garage. Keep walks and driveway swept
- Wash the windows inside and out.
- Hire a cleaning service to thoroughly clean the interior.
- Paint the walls and ceilings off white or beige.
- Repair cracks, holes and damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
- Replace damaged windowpanes, moldings and woodwork.
- Repair drippy faucets and showerheads. Unclog slow drains.
- Shampoo carpets, scrub and wax linoleum or wood floors.
- Clean out the fireplace and lay some logs in it.
- Mend torn screens. Clean out all window tracks.
- Replace burned-out light bulbs. Use soft white light bulbs – easier on the eye.
- Renail creaking boards or stairs; lubricate squeaking doors.
- Clean all appliances (especially refrigerator and oven).
- Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains.
- Clear all cobwebs from corners and doorways.
- Wash all light switches, handrails and doorknobs.
As they say, there is no time like the present to make a GREAT first impression! Curb and interior appeal go a long way in getting the highest selling price for your home. I am going to take the above list one step further in suggesting to paint the door and replace the hardware on exterior entry doors. As a real estate agent, to me the condition of the entry says a lot about the rest of the home. When I arrive at a home and the front door has peeling paint and the hardware is rusted and difficult to open, it makes me wonder what else we will find in the house if the door itself (our first impression) is not well-loved! Just a thought -
STEP III – Every house has a story! What’s your story?
Every house has a story! My job is to find the “love” in a home and help to convey that to a potential buyer. Our personal story included - “The three steps leading to the family room served a great meeting spot for late night conversations with our children”, “The firepit area was a repurposed location of an above-ground pool”, “Our formal living room was converted into an oversized dining room to accommodate our guests at our yearly Thanksgiving Feast”. The following items show “love” as well:
- Locate the survey of the property, if available. This is a great “gift” to a new owner!
- Locate instructional manuals, warranties and service plans and create a binder or folder to store documents. Another great “gift” to a new owner!
- Locate historical photos of the home. This shows how the property has evolved and withstood the test of time. Your town office is a great spot for property research! I can help you with this too!
- Locate seasonal photos of the home. Show your home in every season – winter, spring, summer and fall!
Your goal is to create a “feeling” and evoke the senses so someone will FALL IN LOVE with your home just like you did when you purchased!
IN CONCLUSION: Together, let’s come up with a plan to sell your home!
When you are ready to sell, I’m here to help. As a Realtor affiliated with EXIT Realty in both Maine and Florida, my goal is to assist sellers and buyers realize their dreams in ownership. I have a great eye for design and am available to assist in staging suggestions as well!
Remember, you’ve got this one life, LIVE it! To schedule a phone consultation, call or text 203-313-4349 or visit my website(s) at www.venicehousehunter.com (Florida) or www.vacationlandhousehunter.com (Maine).
Karen Udiskey - ABR, SRS, SFR
realtor / recruiter / engagement leader
affiliated with EXIT King Realty in Venice, Florida and EXIT Oceanside Realty in Wells, Maine