February 13, 2010

Making your home attractive in a competitive market

Homes are still selling even in this tough economy, but the ones that sell are those where a little work has been done to entice a potential buyer.

You've heard it all before, yet I've recently been through so many homes where the sellers haven't done one thing to spruce up the home. Simple things such as cleaning are not costly yet are overlooked.

Here's a six-step plan to help sellers get top dollar for their homes in today's market:

1. HIRE A HOME INSPECTOR. Before even listing your house for sale, have a licensed professional inspector conduct a thorough inspection of your home. This is something you would probably do before buying a home so why not have it done to your own home so you know what items will show up on an inspection report and what you need to do to fix them before potential buyers start walking through the door.

2. BOOST YOUR CURB APPEAL. If your house has siding, power wash the exterior. If it is wood or stucco, consider a new paint job. Paint the front door a bright color and make sure it is in good condition. The door is the first thing a potential buyer will touch.

3. MAKE YOUR HOUSE FEEL BIGGER. Remove one piece of furniture from every room in the house. If you’ve lived there for more than ten years, make it two pieces of furniture. Put away the knickknacks. Get rid of the magazines, trophies and at least half of the family photos. Serious buyers will check closet space, so put half your clothes in storage.

4. FIX THE LITTLE THINGS. Fix leaks, re-caulk bathtubs and sinks, tighten door knobs and fix any dents or holes in the plaster or drywall. Fix those little things that have been on your list for months but always played second fiddle to the larger repairs.

5. CLEAN THE HOME. Two weeks before the home hits the market hire a commercial cleaning service for a top to bottom cleaning or do it yourself. A clean home tells the buyer that the home has been maintained. I can't emphasize enough how much better a home shows when it's neat and tidy.

6. CLOSE THE DEAL. Add one or two items that will make your house stand out from the other ten the potential buyer has just looked at. A stained glass window, a wine refrigerator and landscape lighting are more expensive examples. Don't have a lot of extra cash? A vase of flowers on the kitchen table, new knobs on the kitchen or bath cabinets, or a new welcome mat at the front door are inexpensive improvements that make the home more inviting.