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Prepare Your Home For Sale!

   We all know the ins and outs of our homes so well we sometimes forget about that old leak satin or the screen which has a little tear. A buyer who is about to make on of their largest purchasers can often be turned off by these small items, because if the owner doesn't take care of the small things can you just imagine the big things.

   Your main objective in preparing your home is to make it as attractive to the largest number of buyers as possible. Some minor repairs and clean-up will usually turn into a higher selling price.

   When you begin to prepare you should take a look around and make a list. Pretend you are a buyer and start your viewing at the curb and then continue your tour on every floor, out into the yard and don't forget the garage.

   Some minor and reasonable repairs can help  turn your home into near model home condition which include the following items:
 

• Fresh paint. A freshly painted home gives the buyer an impression of being able to move right in and of a well cared for home. The interior paint should be a neutral and light color so that it may fit into anyone's decor. The front door should be freshly painted because this is usually where first impressions are made.
• Lighting Fixtures are another inexpensive and easy problem to remedy. All fixtures should have working bulbs. Out-dated fixtures can be inexpensively replaced and add a whole new look to your home.
• Carpets and Floor can help sell your home for top dollar. If your carpets are worn out or have rips it can be a big turn off. Consider replacing your carpets, choose a light neutral color. Another alternative is if you have hardwood floors under your old carpeting if to have them refinished.
• Take a critical look at your kitchen. Formica counters which are out-dated can be replaced and at the same time change the whole look of the kitchen. Extra appliances, toasters, blenders, juicers, etc..should be stored away to show off your work areas. Older cabinets can receive a face lift by just replacing the knobs.
• Landscaping: Lawns neatly edged and cut, fresh flowers planted, hedges trimmed. Decks and patios cleaned and repaired.
• Basement and garage: Neat and clean and if weather permits aired out. Boxes neatly stacked in corners.
• Decorating Sense: Sometimes just the simple trick of rearranging or removing excess furniture will enhance the space of any size room. This also applies to collectibles and bric-a-brac, they can make the buyer loose sight of the home. In this case less is best.
• Closets: Very simply put, if your not using it pack it away. One of the first things a buyer will look for is ample spacious closets. Make sure that they can be easily opened, especially sliding closet doors.
• Major Repairs: Sometimes with big ticket items such as roofs, it is often wiser and less expensive to correct the problem. Although a new roof is expensive and won't add much value to the home, the few buyers who will purchase a home with a bad roof will usually discount their purchase offer heavily by far more than the cost of a roof.