Getting Ready to Sell
Prospective home buyers play with things. They flick light switches. They open everything with a handle. They turn on faucets and flush toilets. Having shiny fixtures makes an impression.
Sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak..
Check the ceilings for water stains, whether the leak is caused by plumbing or a defective roof. Find the leak and repair it and make sure the job is done correctly. If a water stain is left after repair, do the cosmetic work necessary to improve the attractiveness of your home. That usually means painting.
If dirt has accumulated in spots or you have an outdated color scheme you may have to paint Painting makes a home look fresh and new on the inside and is always impressive.
Painting can be your best investment. It is not a very expensive operation and often you can dp it yourself. Choose colors based on what would appeal to the widest possible number of buyers. Always choose an off-white color. White helps your rooms appear bright and spacious.
If your carpet does not appear old and worn, or it is definitely an outdated style or color, you probably should do nothing more than hire a carpet cleaner. If you replace it, do so with something inexpensive in a fairly neutral color.
Repair or replace broken floor tiles. You are not fixing up the place for yourself. Your goal is to impress those who may want to purchase your property.
Check your windows to make sure they open and close easily. If necessary spray them with WD40. Make sure there are no cracked or broken windows. If there are, replace them.
Check the doors – make sure they open and close properly, without creaking. If they do, a spray of WD40 on the hinges usually makes the creak go away. Be sure the doorknobs turn easily, and that they are cleaned and polished.
For those who smoke, you might want to minimize smoking indoors. You could also purchase an ozone spray.
Pet owners. Pets come with odors. For those with cats, be sure to empty kitty litter boxes daily. For dog owners, keep the dog outdoors as much as possible.
A homebuyer’s first impression is based on his or her view of the house from the real estate agent’s car. It’s called "curb appeal."
Walk across the street and take a good look at your house. Look at nearby houses, see how yours compares.
