Advice for Home Sellers !!

How do you get top dollar for your home? Here are a few tips that will help you get your house ready to sell!!

• Price your home right!

One of the most difficult aspects of selling your own home is to objectively determine its value. Charge too little and you'll always wonder if you lost money on the deal. Ask for too much and you'll lose valuable time, and credibility. How do you arrive at the right price? The easiest way is to hire an independent appraiser. Depending on your area, most charge $200 to $400 for the service. Appraisers obtain valuation information from tax record data bases and multiple-listing services. After a careful inspection of your home to determine its specifications, condition, and special features, the appraiser compares your homes with like homes in your area. The final report will often show three to four comparables homes and an estimate of the home's value. Taken into consideration with market conditions, this should serve as a reasonable pricing guide. For a list of appraisers in your area call 916-709-0357. Get a home inspection! One will cost about $150-$250, but you will know if anything needs repair. The inspection should tell you if the heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems are functioning properly and about the integrity of the structure itself. This should include the roof, subflooring, foundation, exterior materials, windows and doors. Get an independent third party to do it that has no vested interest in doing the repairs. Finally, make the necessary repairs.


• Prepare Your Home!

This includes removing any clutter. Start packing for your move if necessary, boxing up the things you won't need for a while. Put items in boxes or large plastic containers and store them neatly in a garage, attic, or preferably a storage facility. Remember that buyers will want to look everywhere, in closets, cabinets, etc., so make them neat.


• Make sure the house is spotless!

This applies especially to bathrooms and kitchens. Clean countertops and remove excess items. Make sure things stay clean. Buy new burner inserts for your stove if cleaning does not make them spotless. Keep the house dust-free. Clean or replace carpets. Clean the windows! Paint if necessary. Wax any hardwood floors. Clean cobwebs from every corner and ceiling. Clean your garage and the garage floors. The garage should be orderly and free from oil stains.


• Be aware of the odors in your home.

Get rid of any pet odor! It would be a good idea to have an unbiased friend make the assessment as to whether or not there is any pet odor. Keep the laundry done. This will make your house smell nice. Avoid heavy room sprays or deodorizers. People may find them offensive or even be allergic to them. Brew coffee and/or bake cookies on days of showing. This will fill your home with pleasant smells.


• Decide what items will stay with the house upon sale.

This applies to curtains, appliances, sheds, everything. Let the buyer know what these items are. This is often an incentive if a buyer feels able to move in without a lot of additional expense or hassle. It is a good idea to tag items that you will take with you when you leave.


• Lighten up your home.

Replace any low-wattage lightbulbs with high-wattage ones. Open every curtain, shade or blind as far as possible on the day of showing.


• Fix up the outside of your home as well.

Replace any damaged screens. Paint where necessary. Trim dead tree limbs and keep the grass mowed.


• Be flexible.

Work with potential buyers as best as you can. This means being available to show your home on their schedule. Hold open houses on some Sunday afternoons. Make sure they are advertised. Be objective and don't get offended. Keep your opinions to yourself.


• Make the buyer feel welcome.

There should be no pets or children in the house on the day of showing. Send them to a neighbors or whatever you need to do. Invite the buyers to sit on your furniture. When they do, they will be able to picture themselves living there. After showing your home, excuse yourself. Let the buyers know that you can be found in a particular secluded room, or better yet- outside if they have any questions.


• Don't agree to take your house off the market when someone makes you an offer.

You need to include a 72-hour kickout clause in your contract. It should state that you have the right to consider a non-contingency contract from another buyer if the first buyer has not made financial or other arrangements in 72 hours.


• Remember that a seller MUST disclose any defects with the property being sold.

You are legally responsible as the seller to disclose any known defects in relation to the property you are selling.


• Keep excellent track of everyone that contacts you!

Make sure you have the name and phone number of everyone who calls. You should have a notepad or notebook that has vital information about each contact with a potential buyer, including when and what type of contact was made. Make little notes to yourself so you will easily recall the conversations you had.


• Make your home look like something you would want to buy!

    This is a sure-fire way to make others interested in your home.


• First impressions are lasting.

The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh, clean, and scrubbed looking. Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse.


• Decorate for a quick sale.

Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look, when you can show them by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. An investment in a new kitchen wallpaper will pay dividends.


• Let the sun shine in.

Open drapes and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. {dark rooms do not appeal.}


• Fix that faucet!

Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.


• Repairs can make a big difference.

Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinets or drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed.


• Safety first.

Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.


• Make closets look bigger.

Neat, well-ordered closets show that space is ample.


• Bathrooms help sell homes.

Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.


• Arrange bedrooms neatly.

Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.


• Can you see the light?


Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights for an evening inspection.