Your property is your most important financial asset. If you are preparing to sell your property, there is good news: You don’t need to spend a lot of money on repairs to realize a strong return.
There are also some repairs that are recommended in this Guide that may not increase the price of your property , but may make your property more marketable and reduce the time on the market.
Before investing money in repairs, we recommend that the client choose their real estate agent and evaluate their improvement strategy with their agent based on their local market as well as the condition, age and location of their property .
Agents surveyed advise owners to do as little as possible - perform touch-ups on floor tiling instead of replacing the entire floor; shampoo the carpets instead of replacing them. However, if the owner and their real estate agent determine that the condition of certain areas is deemed to be too poor, more extensive work may provide the greatest benefit.
Many sellers overlook some of the most critical items in the pressure of getting their property prepared for sale.
Lighten And Brighten One of the most noticeable yet economical improvements you can make to prepare your property for sale is lightening and brightening. Buyers look for space, light and comfort. Often all a owner has to do is make simple touch-ups that can create very noticeable results. For instance, it is important to make the entry to your property as light and bright as possible. Bright light can make a small dwelling appear larger, while soft light provides a warm, cozy atmosphere to empty spaces.
Best of all, your lighten and brighten checklist can be done without calling in a professional.
Tips: ° Clean all windows, inside and out ° Wipe all light fixtures with a rag and cleaning solution ° Keep curtains open; use as much natural light as possible ° Prune outside trees to allow as much natural light inside as possible ° Use the brightest light bulbs possible, while making sure they have the right wattage ° Install dimming switches in common rooms, such as dining rooms and living rooms, to allow you to create lighting for different occasions ° Install new window treatments if yours are damaged or dated Polish brass and glass ° Clean existing shutters, blinds and drapes ° Make sure all outdoor lighting works ° Make sure all windows open easily. Repair sticky windows that don’t open ° Clean all switchplates ° At night, turn on porch light and other outdoor lighting
Clean and De-clutter
Thoroughly cleaning your property and freeing it from all clutter can be the most important of all pre-sale activities. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your dwelling, but will have a difficult time if there is extensive clutter. It can be difficult to maintain an immaculate place over the period of time when it is shown to prospective buyers, but it is definitely worth it.
Consider renting short-term storage for excess furniture and other belongings.
Tips: ° Clean the entryway carefully; it creates the buyer’s first interior impression of your property ° Clean or purchase new front door hardware ° Hire a professional to thoroughly clean the interior of your place ° Remove personal possessions ° Remove excess furniture to give your place a spacious look ° Clean the inside of all kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and neatly organize items on shelves ° Polish woodwork ° Get rid of all items on front and back porch ° Doors should be oiled and squeak-free ° Ensure all doors, cabinets, and drawers can open completely, without any blockage ° Call in an exterminator to take care of insect problems ° Have a garage sale before the property is listed ° Keep bookshelves and entertainment units organized neatly ° Make stairwells and corridors clutter-free ° Keep screens cleaned and vacuumed ° Board pets ° Get rid of odors (e.g. pet, food, cigarette) ° Organize closets ° Remove appliances from kitchen counters to give a look of spaciousness ° Make bathrooms sparkle; sinks, toilets and tubs should be immaculate ° Clean windowsills ° Dust silk flowers ° Clean and De-Clutter
Stage A Property For Sale
Staging can be the secret to selling your property quickly. Your property will attract more qualified and serious buyers if it is already in staged condition when you begin to show it. Your real estate agent can assist you in adding the finishing touches
and staging your property for sale. This often involves rearranging furniture or even renting modern furniture to show your property in the best possible light. Vacant property can be more difficult to sell because most buyers have difficulty visualizing themselves living in an empty dwelling.
Tips: ° Place fresh flowers, potpourri and other decorations around property (even in bathrooms) ° Play music ° Turn all lights on ° Open drapes ° Turn fireplace on in the winter ° Use room fresheners in kitchen and bathrooms ° Set the dining room table for a dinner party ° Hang artwork on the walls ° Hang new towels in the bathroom for your guests ° Put cedar chips inside the closets ° Remove personal possessions, like photos,
trophies and mementos ° Tag or remove items not included in sale (i.e. water conditioner, chandeliers, plants, drapes) ° Stage garage – clean up oily floors, straighten tools and other equipment
Repair Electrical and Plumbing Problems
All of your light switches, overhead lights and plumbing fixtures should be in working order. Before showing your property, be sure to have all defective electrical switches replaced. These low cost items can have a very positive effect on the appeal of your property. If the problems are greater, call in a licensed electrician to examine all wiring and make any necessary repairs. Plumbing is one of those jobs that needs to be handled in the right manner. Some easy jobs you can do yourself. If you're not sure, call in a professional; the consequences of a mistake can mean costly water damage to your property.
Tips: ° Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen faucets are in good working order ° All toilets should be in good working order ° All drains should be clean and free flowing ° If needed, hire a plumber to replace badly rusted and corroded plumbing pipes ° Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms ° Repair leaky faucets and remove any rust stains in sinks or tubs ° Remove mildew stains and repair any loose, crumbling caulk or grout around tile and tub areas ° Have your well or septic tank inspected or repaired ° Repair holes in gutters and repair any separation from the eaves ° Service sprinkler system ° Make sure that all smoke and burglar alarms are functional ° Doorbell should be in working order ° Inspect and clean furnace; change the furnace filter
Repair Damaged Flooring
Like everything in your dwelling, you should keep flooring very clean all the time and, if necessary, enhance the appearance at minimal cost. Some repairs or replacement may be necessary to improve the condition and appearance of your property.
Tips: ° Clean and wax wood or linoleum floors ° Replace missing or damaged linoleum tiles ° Clean linoleum floors in kitchen and bathroom ° Replace worn out vent covers ° Mop and vacuum floors
If you decide to replace a linoleum floor, choose a neutral color that will have wide appeal ° Patch, repair or replace hardwood flooring ° Eliminate any creaks in floors by driving finished nails into the creaky area
Update Kitchen and Bathrooms
Special attention should be paid to kitchen and bathrooms because they receive particular scrutiny from buyers. Prioritize
those improvements that will be the most obvious and impressive to buyers. An immaculate kitchen and bathrooms can result in a faster sale. They should be free of all clutter to give an “open” appeal.
Tips: ° Make bathrooms and kitchen sparkle ° If the appliances are included with the sale of your property, make sure they are operating and have proper documentation, such as warranties and repair information ° If there are missing or damaged tiles, have them replaced ° Retouch or repaint kitchens and bathrooms if the color is dated or the paint quality is poor ° Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free ° Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs ° Remove any mildew stains and re-caulk crumbling caulk or grout on showers, sinks, tubs, and surrounding areas ° Clean tile grout and make stain-free ° Paint, touch up, or refinish kitchen cabinetry ° Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers, and wobbly hinges ° Replace toilet seats ° If appliances are dated or not functioning, consider replacing ° Special attention should be
paid to kitchen and bathrooms
because they receive particular
scrutiny from buyers. Prioritize
those improvements that will be the most obvious and impressive to buyers. An immaculate kitchen and
bathrooms can result in a faster sale. They should be free of all clutter to give an
“open” appeal.
Replace or Shampoo Carpeting
Carpets should be clean, vacuumed and completely smell-free. If the carpets are not faded or damaged, you may consider no more than a thorough shampooing of the rugs to improve the smell and appearance. If the condition of the carpet is poor or smells do not come out, you should consider replacing it with a neutral color.
Tips: ° Steam clean carpet thoroughly ° Hire a professional to deodorize carpets if you have pets ° Replace any worn carpet ° Make sure carpets are secure. Stretch and tack down any loose or curling carpet ° Eliminate any cracks in floors by driving finished nails into creaky area (through the carpet)
Paint Interior Walls
A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference to a room. If your walls are in good condition, often you can get away with just retouching. However, if the walls are dingy or have nicks or holes in them, taking the time to repaint them
now can pay off later.
The key to a great paint job is in the prep work. You should plan on patching or repairing drywall in your dwelling to cover nail holes, furniture nicks or damage created by children’s toys. Paint will not hide cracks and other defects in your walls,
so you will need to spend some time up front to ensure that your paint job will look professional.
Tips: ° Remove dated wallpaper and paint walls a neutral color ° Whitewash dark paneling ° Paint, touch up or refinish kitchen cabinetry ° Put a fresh coat of paint on your front door ° Tone down bright room colors by painting them white or a neutral color ° All woodwork, such as stairwell railings and doors, should be repainted and/or stained ° Have leaks repaired and watermarks covered ° Make sure that cracks in ceilings and walls are repaired ° The windows should be washed and stain-free. The window frames should be painted if necessary, and the hinges should not squeak.
My Condo Realty
305-662-5011
Information on this website is believed to be accurate but is not warranted and should be reconfirmed.Keyes Realtor
