Potential buyers consider first impressions extremely important and a clean, neat, uncluttered home in good repair will sell faster than others in your marketplace. This homeowner's checklist along with a few marketing tips will help your house sell faster.
Before a prospective buyers visits your home clean everything. Cleanliness sends the message to a buyer that the house has been well cared for and is most likely in good repair. A cluttered and messy home will cause buyers to notice every flaw. Clutter is the real problem. The less clutter results in a roomier feel and don't forget those closets. Before a prospective buyer arrives make sure you open your windows and air out the house and open your shades to allow as much light in as possible. Fresh flowers or potpourri are a wonderful touch and if possible include some fresh baked bread as added touch. Turn off your TV and play some soft instrumental music if possible.
Pay attention to details. Fix anything that is broken before your home is showed to buyers. A buyer will always make a lower offer if disrepair is apparent. Touch-up that paint! Fresh neutral colors are the best. If you own pets always secure them away from the house when the house is being showed. Additionally, if you have children take them to the park during showings since they can be noisy and distracting to someone interested in your house. Use this quick checklist to see if your home is really ready to be shown.
Make maintenance improvements. The maintenance improvements listed below are relatively easy and inexpensive to make, yet they can substantially improve a home's appearance, efficiency and comfort.
Exterior
Repair, Replace And Paint Damaged Areas
Trim
Siding
Plaster
Rain Gutters
Doors
Windows Frames And Glass
Screens
Hardware
Fences And Gates
Outdoor Lighting
Shutters
Roofs - Wash And Clean
Pool & Spa
Air Conditioning Units
Outdoor BBQ
Screens
Windows
Siding Check All Light Fixtures
Garage
Porch
Carport
Patch Or Reseal Driveway If Needed
Clean Oil Stains From Driveway
Check Septic Tank For Any Unpleasant Odor
Paint Or Replace Street Numbers On House
Check Doorbell Or Knocker
Clean And Polish Door Hardware
Clean Up Any Pet Droppings
Repair Leaky Faucets
Haul Away Rubbish
Straighten Woodpile And Check For Insects
Keep Service Areas And Rubbish Cans Clean
Paint Or Clean All Exterior Doors
Clean Gutters And Downspouts
Landscaping
Keep Your Yard Mowed And Neatly Trimmed
Green Up The Lawn
Eliminate Bare Spots
Water Lawn Regularly
Remove And Replace Dead Plants & Shrubs
Prune Plants
Weed Flower Beds
Trim Around Trees, Fences, Walls
Replace Any Damaged Landscape Accessories
Check And Adjust Sprinkler System
Replace Any Broken Stepping Stones
Interior All Rooms:
Clean Especially Around:
Doors
Windows
Baseboards
Light Switches
Chair Railings
All Window Coverings
Ceiling Fixtures
Area Rugs
Carpeting
Check Corners For Cobwebs
Make Beds And Fluff Pillows
Fix Scratches In Wood Floors
Check That All Doors Work Smoothly
Empty Wastebaskets
Check That All Lighting Is Working
Polish All Wood Surfaces
Kitchens
Keep Dishes And Food Out Of Sight
Clean All Appliances And Range Hoods
Clean All Fixtures
Check All Electrical Switches
Deodorize Garbage Disposal, Dishwasher, Refrigerator
Clean All Light Fixtures
Check Working Order Of All Electrical Outlets
Eliminate Cooking Odors
Clean Under Sink
Organize Cupboards
Bathrooms
Clean All Tile Grout And Repair If Needed
Shine Mirrors
Remove All Soap Residue, Mildew And Mold From Shower/Tub/Sink
Remove Lime Deposits From Fixtures,Showers.Tub,Sink,Toilet Bowls.
Make Sure All Toilets Flush Properly And Replace Noisy Mechanism
Clean Out Cabinets And Remove Non-Essential Clutter
Empty And Clean All Wastebaskets
Keep Fresh Towels On All Towel Racks
Clean Shower Door And Keep Track Well Lubricated On Sliding Doors
Replace Old Shower Curtains
Clean Exhaust Fans And Heaters Or Replace If Broken Or Noisy
Closets
Keep Closets Clean And Free Of Clutter
Throw Out Or Store Nonessentials
Adjust And Or Repair Any Sliding Doors
Lubricate Sliding Doors Or Hinges That Noisy
Paint Interior Wall If Needed
Laundry Rooms
Clean Out Areas Behind And Under The Washer And Dryer
Eliminate Any Mildew Odors
Keep Lint Traps Clean
Garage/Carports/Utility Sheds
Keep Area Clean And Uncluttered
Clean Away Any Cobwebs
Keeps Tool Area Uncluttered And Hang Up Lawn Tools
Use Bright Lights In Garage And Work Areas
Make Sure Automatic Garage Doors Are Working Properly
Lubricate All Door Hinges And Tracks Of Overhead Doors
Air Conditioning And Heating
Replace Filters
Clean Intake Vent
Clean Around All Supply Vents
Some Additional Helpful Hints
Provide Potential Customers With A List Of All Warranties Still In Effect And All Bonds I.E.. Termite.
List All Current Improvements And Upgrades That Make Your House Special.
Items you should try to have on hand:
Appliance receipts, service records and warranties
Information on the age of major components such as the roof coverings, furnace, air-conditioner, etc.
Major component warranties (e.g. roofing, siding, windows, carpeting furnace and other appliances
Heating, water and electric bills from at least the past 12 months
What is a home inspection?
A professional home inspection is an objective, in-depth visual examination of a home's structure and operating systems, and should result in a detailed report describing the condition of the home. The main intent of a home inspection is to educate the client as to the physical condition of the home.
No house is perfect, and a home inspection is not intended to identify every little blemish or minute surface imperfection. The concientious home inspector tries to discover if there are major defects in a home that the client, and perhaps no one else, is aware of - and should also point out the positive aspects of a house. A good or better than average report can be a good marketing tool for vendors and their agents.
To identify which components are most in need of repair, many sellers now enlist professional home inspectors before putting up the 'For Sale' sign.
Oh my, what if they find something wrong?!
Over the years, professional home inspectors have identified a list of problems that typically appear on purchasers' home inspection reports. Early correction of these problems can increase a home's appeal, and it's selling price. Correction also sets the stage for a favourable home inspection report should the purchaser request one, and thereby helps to streamline your sale. The following checklist can help you achieve your marketing goals.
Using the checklist above as a guide to examine your house will enable you to see your house the way a prospective purchaser or a professional home inspector might.
Is your home physically fit? To give your home a competitve edge when it's time to sell, make sure it is in good physical condition. This not only makes your house more attractive and desirable, it also simplifies or elimates the negotiation process when the time comes for the buyer's pre-purchase inspection.
According to home inspection experts everywhere, approximately half of the resale homes on the market today have at least one significant defect. Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent major costly problems from developing in the first place. So, if you've been putting off repairs, now is the time to catch up, as quick as you can!
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