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Increase Your Homes Saleability!
Improving the value of your property typically requires making improvements that add square footage or enhance functionality, such as a room addition or converting a closet to a bathroom. The following ideas will improve your homes saleability without having to make costly value improvements. Your home will sell faster and bring a higher sale-to-list-price ratio than the competition when the following factors have been addressed. Your homes saleability ration is primarily a function of condition. Use this list as a guide to prepare your home for a showing.
- Landscaping.Is Your Grass Greener?
Keep your lawn mowed frequently & keep it fertilized
Weed your plant beds and trim any overgrown trees and plantings
Sod or re-seed problem areas
Repair, repaint or clean lamps/lamp posts, the mailbox, birdbaths/statuary, basketball hoops
- WelcomeYour Front Door Makes The First Impression
- Clean or paint the front door
- Wash glass in storm door, sidelights, porch lights
- Adjust latches, locks and handles
- Repair front walk/steps and keep them clean and free of debris
- Polish hardware including knobs, locks and door knockers
- Clean doorbell and insure it is proper operation
- You Do Do Windows Dont You?
- Clean windows reflect well on you
- Clean windows make a home brighter
- Clean windows make window coverings more attractive
- Remove Clutter.
- Collections must be organized (better yet, pack and store them!)
- Items on horizontal surfaces should be kept to a minimum
- Pack and store knickknacks
- Remove yesterdays newspaper, display current magazines issues only
- Sort and discard personal items (or have a garage sale!)
- Store extra furniture
- Keep toys, schoolbooks, athletic equipment picked up
- The KitchenThe Most Important Room In The House.
- Countertops must be clean and uncluttered
- Stove top, oven, sink, dishwasher (everything must be spic and span)
- Wet mop the floor as often as necessary
- Organize pantry, cabinets and storage areas
- Keep food storage areas (cabinets, pantry, refrigerator) clean and fresh
- Buyers often judge the whole house by the condition of the oven/stove top
- Bathrooms Clean, Bright, Hygienic.
- Ceramic fixtures must sparkle
- Polish handles and controls
- Bathrooms must smell fresh
- Fresh color-coordinated towels (use a special home-showing set)
- Store personal items, such as razors, toothbrushes, shampoos, etc.
- Closets and Other Storage Mysteries.
- Keep them clean
- Sort, store and pack out-of-season clothes
- Organize shoes, ties, belts, scarves, etc.
- Repair shelving and hardware
- Make sure doors operate easily
- Appliances/Mechanicals.
- Clean all appliances frequently inside and out
- Vacuum or dust around the furnace
- Change the furnace filter (every 30 days)
- Clean the water heater/water softener tanks
- Repair noisy or poorly operating equipment
- Security system. Make sure it is in working order
- Decorating.
- Polish and dust wood surfaces
- Re-glue peeling wall paper
- Fill, patch and paint nail holes
- Replace broken switch plates and electrical outlet covers
- Pack and store that special hard-to-decorate-around wall-hanging Aunt Alice gave you as a wedding gift
- Repaint walls neutral colors
- Clean and polish hardwood floors and clean carpets (replace when worn or offer a carpet allowance)
- Repairs.
- Obvious repairs must be completed before showing your home
- Gutters and downspouts
- Window panes
- Water pimp leaks
- Broken licks and latches
- Driveway and sidewalks
- Replace missing siding or tuck point brick/stone work
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