Northern New York Realty Home Selling Tips Article #4, 6/10/2011

               Get Ready , Set ... Sold !

About the Author:

Real Estate Broker (GRI) 10 years.

Member of the Cape Cod Board of Realtors Education & Ethics Committee.

Instructor Cape Cod Community College: License Examination Course for Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

Instructor Cape Cod Community College: Real Estate Marketing and Salesmanship.

Webmaster and Owner of For Sale by Owner @ nnyRealty.com Property Marketing Services since 1998.

For Sale by Owner @ nnyRealty.com

Prepare your home for the Spring Selling Rush

I think that we’d all agree, that when it comes to selling or marketing anything, that first impressions are lasting. Marketing a home is no different.

As we move quickly into the spring selling season; it's always best to be prepared. Prepare your home and prepare your self for prospective buyers, for the ultimate sale and prepare to move.

Prepare the Home: You only get one chance to make a great first impression, so lets start with curb appeal and work ourselves inside.

Outside:

* Rake up leaves and twigs, pick up trash and rubble/clutter, mow the lawn and plant some flowers. If you already have flower beds, pick out the weeds and put down new mulch. Trim trees, brush and hedges.

* Wash those windows, power-spray/ clean siding, and clean out rain gutters.

* Edge walkways and driveways, put down a new coat of driveway sealant.

* Got sundecks? Put a fresh coat of stain and/or water sealant on decks and/or replace worn deck planks and railings.

* Got a pool? While it may be too early for swimming; it's got to look clean and ready. You don't want buyers looking at murky water and slime. Have the pump/filter up and running before prospective buyers arrive.

* Got a garage and/or storage sheds? If your garage and sheds are like mine then you've got some work to do! Clean it and pack it. Dispose of trash, rubble and clutter; put your stuff in marked boxes and get ready to move it out.

When you think that everything you needed to do is done outside, have a friend or neighbor come by and give the place another look. You'd be surprised at the little things that you've missed and taken for granted.

Still got some winter white stuff hanging around? Make sure that the driveway is plowed and that the walk ways are shoveled. Put down some rock salt / ice melt so your guests won't slip and fall. Make sure that the heat is turned up to a comfortable level and put some logs in the fireplace or wood stove if you've got one.

Aside from providing you with a laundry list of things to do inside your home to get it ready to be seen by prospective buyers; the biggest mistake that owners make is not being ready to move!

They also tend to underestimate the amount of work that needs to be done when it comes to organizing and packing all of their belongings. If your home is anything like mine each room has a fair amount of everything from family photos, knickknacks, personal mementos, etc. What about the closets and attic? Pack it, pack it ,pack it; and get it all out of the house and even rent a storage shed if necessary.

What this important pre-moving task gives you is a neat and uncluttered home. When prospective buyers view your home, they'll be looking at the amenities of your home and not your personal belongings. Some homes I've been in have been so cluttered that you could barely walk from one room to another and you couldn't take room photos without having to move everything around. Who wants to look at a large walk-in closet that you can't walk into? The other benefit of pre-packing is that you'll have a lot less stress and things to do when your home sells.

OK, now that all the personal clutter is gone, it's time to clean, clean, clean! Not only should your home look it's best, but it should also smell it's best. If your smokers, a nonsmoker will be able to smell it a mile away; so get rid of it. Smoke residue will cling to just about everything to include light fixture globes, light bulbs, windows, woodwork, cabinets, counter tops; so clean, clean and clean even if you have to hire a professional cleaning service to do it....

Ray Carpenter, Author/ Webmaster/ Owner nnyRealty.com 2011.

Not Sure What Has to Be Done? Ask a Local Certified Home Inspector.

Have You Been Putting Off Needed Repairs or Improvements?

The first thing that any prospective buyer will notice is all of the little repairs and improvements that you never got around to finishing (or starting).

Believe me when I tell you this ... it won't be overlooked or just brushed off. Instead it will be subconsciously registered in the back of their minds as a " Hugh Negative ", " More Things for Them to do ", and a quick reason for them not to make an offer.

So trust me on this. Somewhere in the back of your mind a little voice has already told you what has to be done, so just get it done before you show your home to a qualified buyer!