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Getting
the House Ready to Sell
House
Exterior
The big decision is whether to paint or
not to paint. When you look at your house from across the street, does
it look tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is often
a very good investment and really spruces up the appearance of a house,
adding dollars to offers from potential homebuyers.
When choosing a color, it should not be
something garish and unusual, but a color that fits well in your
neighborhood. Of course, the color also depends on the style of your
house, too. For some reason, different shades of yellow seem to illicit
the best response in homebuyers, whether it is in the trim or the basic
color of the house.
As for the roof, if you know your
roof leaks, repair it. If you do not repair a leaky roof,
you are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want an entire new roof.
If you know your roof leaks and you don't repair it and
don't disclose it, look forward to hearing from lawyers at
some point in the future.
Otherwise, wait and see what the home inspector says. Why spend
money unnecessarily?
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The
Back Yard
The back yard should be tidy. If you have
a pool or spa, keep it freshly maintained and constantly cleaned. For
those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of
"debris." If you have swing sets or anything elaborate for
your kids, it probably makes more sense to remove them than to leave
them in place. They take up room, and you want your back yard to appear
as spacious as possible, especially in newer homes where the yards are
not as large.
The
Front Door & Entryway
The front door should be especially
sharp, since it is the entryway into the house. Polish the door fixture
so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to
get that done.
If you have a cute little plaque or
shingle with your family name on it, remove it. Even if it is just on
the mailbox. You can always put it up again once you move. Get a new
plush door mat, too. This is something else you can take with you once
you move.
Make sure the lock works easily and the
key fits properly. When a homebuyer comes to visit your home, the agent
uses the key from the lock box to unlock the door. If there is trouble
working the lock while everyone else stands around twiddling their
thumbs, this sends a negative first impression to prospective
homebuyers.
copyright 2000 by Terry
Light and RealEstate ABC, revised 2002 |
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