Six Ways to Be Prepared For Market

1.  Repairs

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”… but if it IS broken and you know of it, go ahead and take care of those repairs before placing your home on the market.  A buyer will mentally add up the cost of repairing minor flaws – like a leaky faucet, broken cabinet, stiff door… and will also be likely to think, “If the owners did not take care of these little items, what about the roof or plumbing or air conditioner?”

Addressing repairs up front can also prevent losing a buyer in the option period once inspections are performed.  Sellers in this area can EXPECT a buyer to inspect the home and negotiate repairs, especially any safety issues.

2.      Cleaning

Why do buyers purchase new construction homes?  Because all they have to do is move in.

Cleanliness is a high priority to buyers and your hard work will pay off in the long run in terms of time on market and actual sales price.

Areas of Focus:

Ø      Floors:  have your carpets professionally cleaned.  Clean and polish tile floors, including grout areas.  Work on the baseboards as well.

Ø      Wash all windows inside and out.  This allows more light inside the home and a “model home” appearance.  If you have window treatments, consider having them cleaned and pressed.

Ø      Polish all light fixtures (and replace light bulbs as you go!).

Ø      Focus on Kitchens and Baths.  If caulking and grout is stained or mildewed, replace for a fresh, clean look.

Ø      Outdoor tasks:  present a “clean” first impression.  Power washing a home has a great effect for relatively low cost.  Remove all outdoor debris, and be sure to clean out flower beds and overgrown brush. 

3 .     Neutralizing

Bold is not always Beautiful to Buyers.  Be careful about your choice of colors when repainting or replacing carpeting.  If a buyer does not like your paint or carpet colors, they will start thinking about the work and money involved in making the change. 

The same goes for wallpaper – if your décor is no longer with today’s trends, consider removing it and replacing with a neutral texture and paint.

So… what, exactly, do we mean by neutral?  The best way to describe a positive neutral change is “color without commitment”. 

Buyers do not want pure white walls, they prefer a soft cream or tan color.  Carpeting can be a tan or beige color, but avoid going TOO dark and choosing a brown, with the exception of preparing a home for rental.  Avoid blues or grays unless it specifically matches the color of the rest of your home décor.

4.  Space Management

Create the illusion of having more space. Arranging your items well in the space you have can positively impact a buyer’s impression of the home.

Ø      Arrange furniture to give the rooms a spacious feeling.  Remove furniture if a room feels crowded.

Ø      Pack away collectibles – both for safety and simplicity.

Ø      Remove all non-essentials from countertops, especially in the kitchen and baths

Ø      Remove excess pictures and picture frames from the walls

Ø      Empty closets of off-season items and organize what you have to demonstrate an efficient use of space.

Remember, you are MOVING!  Now is a good time to start packing!  If space is a problem, strongly consider using a storage unit or POD.

5.  Atmosphere

Buyers are looking for a home, a place that is warm that would like to call their own. 

Your home should have an atmosphere that appeals to a buyer’s senses.  We’re talking sights, sounds, smells, touch, and… well… taste!  We’ve never seen a buyer frown at a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

Be sure the climate in your home is comfortable.  Keep the air conditioner between 76 and 78 degrees in the summertime – and be sure to heat the home in the winter. If you are no longer living in the house, this still applies - it's no fun to show an unairconditioned home in the Texas summertime, buyers practically run back to their air conditioned car!

How your home smells can greatly impact a buyer.  Be sure to eliminate any of the following odors:

Ø      Pets

Ø      Smoking

Ø      Cooking odors from frying foods or spices

Your best strategy will be to remove the source of the smell rather than cover it up with candles or incense.  If smells are a major problem, we will recommend installing new carpeting and fresh paint. Once the source of the smell is removed, an Ozone treatment can also do wonders in eliminating offensive odors for good.

If you choose to play music during showings, be sure to make it soft and in the background.  Use a CD if possible, because radio stations tend to have aggravating commercials that play at just the wrong moment.

6.  Stage for Success when you Show

Show like a Model Home.  Staging is an art form designed to make buyers excited about their potential life in your home.  If you have completed the above tasks, you are already almost there when it comes to staging.  Now for the final steps:

Ø      Go Light and Bright.  Take advantage of natural lighting by opening window treatments.  Make sure all your light bulbs are working, and consider brightening rooms with higher wattage bulbs.

Ø      Bring Relaxation and Comfort to Mind.  Well placed pillows and throws present an image of luxury.  Bath salts and a plush towel by the bath tub, a cook book in a stand in the kitchen.  Be careful not to over-clutter.

Ø      Flowers go a long way.  Brighten your front landscaping and first impression with flowers.  In the home, a well placed vase of flowers or silks goes a long way.