Getting the House Ready

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A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster and for a higher price than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well-maintained.  Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained. In readying your house for sale, consider: How much should you spend - In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Maximize exterior and curb appeal - Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior appeal. If the outside, or curb appeal looks good, people will more likely want to see whats on the inside. Tips to enhance your homes exterior and curb appeal: Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly. Hiring a professional lawn service, weekly while the house is on the market may be a good investment for owners who are busy. Even in the fall or winter months they can provide leaf removal. Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly. All foliage should be trimmed at least one foot from any part of the house (roof, siding, gutters, etc.). Add fresh mulch, preferably pinestraw which has a "warmer" feel. Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling. Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint. Clean and align gutters, downspouts and splash blocks. Inspect and clean the chimney. Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles. Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking. In winters, keep steps, walks, and driveways neatly cleared of snow and ice. During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance.   Re-seal an asphalt driveway.   Keep your garage door closed.    Store toys, bicycles, roller skates, gardening equipment and the like out of sight.    Store boats, RVs or old and beaten up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.    Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door and a new "Welcome" doormat. Maximizing interior appeal and making all necessary repairs - Buyers expect everything in their new home to operate safely and properly. Repairs left undone can lead buyers to question whether youve taken good care of your home. Of all the rooms inside your home, pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. They should look as modern, bright and fresh as possible. Enhance your homes interior by: Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, and remove all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Make sure that tabletops, desks, dressers and closets are free of clutter. Don't use your garage, attic, or basement to store these extra things. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages or pods and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look. Hire a weekly professional cleaning service, while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere. Make sure walls and doors are free of smudges.  Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyway, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea. Set the kitchen and dining room table with your best dishes. In winter, put logs in the fireplace. If you have gas logs, turn them on. During the summer put plants and flowers in the fireplace. If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum. Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement. If your basement shows any signs of dampness or leakage, seal the walls. Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles. Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Ensure all windows and doors are opening and closing properly. Repair screens if needed. Replace weather striping as needed. Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating, cooling, and alarm systems. Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.   Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.  To eliminate bad smells, bathe your pets, freshen the cat liter box daily, shampoo carpets, dry clean drapes, and empty trash cans, recycling bins and ash trays. Do not smoke inside your home.   Introduce pleasing smells by placing flowers or potpourri in your home and using air fresheners.    Baking a fresh pie or some other fragrant treat is another common tactic.   Replace burned-out light bulbs and others with higher wattage light bulbs.   Fix or replace inoperable appliances.    Replace air filters monthly with good quality filters. This will cut down on dust and odors.   Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and replace batteries if needed.