Selling Your Home?

Today's economic environment has motivated homeowners to get the most out of their homes. Whether they are selling a home or refinancing an existing mortgage loan, homeowners are looking for ways to squeeze as much equity out of their homes as they possibly can.

Good Curb Appeal is Money in the Bank
Real estate professionals know you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That's why curb appeal is so very important. Improving curb appeal can be as straightforward as fixing a broken window. Some improvements take planning, time and effort, but will be well worth it at sale or appraisal if you plan to refinance.

Start with the Yard
Prune trees and shrubs, making sure there are not branches near the roof line or outer walls of your home. Mow the lawn. Plant flowers for color . Fill in any bare spots in your garden with high foliage plants. If your area has drastic weather changes, take photos of the house when the flowers are in bloom and the yard looks great. Use these photos if you're showing your house during times when harsh weather sends your yard into dormancy.

Create a Grand Entrance
While agents work the lockbox for a key, buyers have idle time to notice details. Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door and frame. Consider adding pots of flowering plants in the entryway if weather permits. Eliminate cobwebs and groom doorway area windows, porch light, or decorative glass.

Fix Everything
Take a walk around the house and note everything that's broken, out of alignment, or looks bad. Nail in loose shutters; fix or replace screen doors, fence boards, dripping faucets, etc. If you can't fix it, get rid of it. A window with no screen is better than a window with a ripped screen. It's better to have everything fixed before a prospective buyer sees the home, offers a lower price and still demands repairs be done before the sale.

Paint & Repair / Replace Siding
Fresh paint has the lowest cost and most dramatic improvement in the value of a home. Often a fresh coat of paint is easier than cleaning the outside of a home. And don't forget the inside. Repair and paint walls. Neutral colors are best in paint, flooring and window treatments.

Clean, Clean, Clean
Start with the carpeting and floors, walls, windows and furniture. A well-kept home gives a sign that everything has been kept up equally. That equates to a higher value. A messy home says "what else has been neglected?" Consider hiring a cleaning service to give the house a detailed cleaning. It will help add to the perceived value of the home.

Unclutter Your Surroundings
Inside and outside of the home, garage and outbuildings. Especially true on the inside, less clutter makes a home seem larger. Remember closets will be opened. Keep them clean and orderly. Have a garage sale, donate to charities or rent a storage unit. Just get rid of it!

Think . . . Aroma
The aromas or odors in your home are important. Do whatever is necessary to create a pleasant scent. First, regularly air your house out, take out the trash, and clean your kitchen thoroughly of food residues. Then, help nature along with some aromatic additions. For a "home-is-where-the-heart-is" aroma, try baking a loaf of bread (frozen dough is available at any grocery store). Another great kitchen smell is cinnamon or try simmering a few drops of vanilla. Better yet, bake a few cookies and leave them out for the agents and buyers. In bathrooms and bedrooms, try potpourri or fresh-cut flowers; how about the scent of leather (new car fragrance?) in a den or home office. Keep an attractive set of bath towels to be brought out for each showing.

Keep the Pets & Children Out-of-Sight
Pets should not be in the yard when prospective buyers arrive nor should children. While family and pets are part of the fabric of our lives, they can be a distraction. Steer clear of such pitfalls by arranging for children and pets to be somewhere else while someone is looking at your home. This may save a potentially allergic buyer from being exposed to your pets, another possible hazard.

Set the Mood
Create a peaceful ambiance using solitude or soft music. If your neighborhood is noisy, choose a soothing instrumental background music that will neutralize the noise. A quiet neighborhood or countryside needs no music-take advantage of the peace and quiet. Always keep television sets and radios turned off.

Let the Sunshine In
Set a cheery mood by opening curtains enough to let the light flow, but not so much as to create a glare. If rooms are dark, install higher watt bulbs and use overhead lighting to brighten gloomy areas. Well-lit rooms are cheery and appear larger.

 

For more information contact:

Joli Tripp
Joli Tripp Real Properties, LLC
RE/MAX Around Atlanta
Marietta West
999 Whitlock Ave.
Marietta, GA 30064
(770) 425-9996, ext 3346 office
(678) 819-9251 direct
(678) 401-2132 efax
(888) 266-3049 toll free, ext 3346
email:   joli@jolitripp.com

Table of Contents