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Exclusively Barrington Magazine - Summer 09
Helpful Hints To Make Your Home More Marketable By Heidi Doering
 ere are a few helpful hints to consider before that “one chance” knocks at your front door. In this economy, how many one chances do you think will come knocking? Realtors need your help to make every opportunity count!
You have just made that all important decision to put your home on the market! You have your agent in place, the sign goes out in the front yard and you make it easy for the agents to show the house and bring in potential buyers. What more is there for you to do? Unfortunately, selling a home, like life, is not always that easy. Just like life there could be many hurdles to get over and the more prepared you are for those hurdles the easier you will find selling your house to be.
I always feel hopeful when driving up to a home and finding that the grass is cut, the hedges are trimmed and there are no cobwebs in the corners, old leaves or debris around the windows or doors. I immediately feel there is a pride of ownership and the homeowner knows that first impressions are all too important. I stress to my sellers that the front door should be clean, recently painted or stained and that the windows should be washed. Nothing is more disappointing than coming up to a front door with glass side windows and finding them smeared and dirty. I immediately feel I need to start apologizing to the prospective buyer.
The second impression a buyer has is of the foyer of the home. Once entering a home agents and buyers usually bend down to remove their shoes. Upon bending down prospects will notice if the floor is clean. Whether it is a ceramic floor or carpeting, a dirty floor sends another wrong message. Not just the floor, but the entire home should be clean. If the job seems monumental, then calling a cleaning service to get the job done should be considered. It must be a thorough cleaning job, getting into all the nooks and crannies. While cleaning each room a seller should make a point of removing any unnecessary items. De-cluttering is a must! A potential buyer will unconsciously focus on the clutter and not remember all the important features of the home.
Another important “To Do” is making any repairs on the home before the home goes on the market. Repairs should not be limited to just the inside of the home. All outside repairs should be done as well. Check the roof, the siding, driveway and yard. Anywhere you see something that is broken or missing, repair it. Make sure the furnace and air conditioner have been serviced recently. All fixtures should be working and in good operating condition. All holes, dents and dings should be plastered over and painted or stained. Make sure all lighting in the home is working. Check all light bulbs, switches and plugs. The brighter and more lighted a home the better it shows. These are all things a home inspector will be looking for once the home has a contract on it. Wouldn’t it be better to have them done before it goes on the market instead of having the home inspector point them out and the buyer expecting some kind of credit or monetary deduction taken at the closing?
When selling your home, the key is to put your best foot forward! Implementing these few suggestions could give your home a fresh look and increase the chances of it selling sooner and at a better price.
Heidi is a REALTOR with
THE PINNACLE GROUP
at CENTURY 21 Roberts &
Andrews in Barrington. | | | | | |
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