For Sale by Owner - Ready to Sell in 7 Steps
We know that true market value pricing and a full court press
marketing approach will bring buyers to your door. Use these 7
Interior and exterior steps to make sure that your home is ready
to be shown to the now buyer who may want your property.
1) Hire a Home Inspector - A third party home inspector
will check your home and its' systems inside and outside. They
will provide you a detailed list of needed repairs or items of
concern. If you complete repairs and address all these items you
will be way ahead your buyer and their home inspection team.
2) Storage, Clear the Clutter - Inspect all closets and
storage areas (basement, attic, garage, crawl space, and
pantry). Move to a rental storage location all items you are not
using and items out of season. Move to storage all large tools
that take up space. Give away items you will not ever use. Yard
sale/garage sale if you have time.
3) Furniture/Decorating - Some forward thinking real
estate agents can arrange to have an interior decorator or home
staging company inspect your home. These people can make
suggestions and help rearrange furniture in your home to show at
its best. Show you some inexpensive ways to redecorate or change
furniture.
4) Light Open Appearance - Remove and store all screens,
clean and wash windows. Open all blinds and draperies (maybe a
good time to have blinds and draperies cleaned). Paint rooms
with dark bold colors a lighter more neutral shade. Clean
carpets clean hardwoods and tile (clean or apply stain to grout
for fresher appearance).
5) Wash/Paint Exterior - Wash siding and over hangs
(remove all bugs, spiders, bees). For a clean and neat exterior
appearance power-wash driveway and all walkways/patios
(concrete, brick and stone). Clean out and repair the gutters
and downspouts. Repaint front door, trim, and porch columns
rails and beams.
6) Landscape - Cut and edge lawn. Make sure you can see
house trim over grown shrubs, trees add mulch to all planter
areas and add flowers for color. Remove any dead or dying
plants. Areas with no grass such as under shade tree add much
for better appearance.
7) Shine and Sparkle - Clean all fixtures inside of home
and outside (brass, chrome, nickel, bronze, and plastic). Polish
or replace front door hardware, house numbers, mailbox, light
fixtures. Fixtures that have lost their finish should be
replaced.
Following these steps should put your home at the top of a
buyers list in your price range.