Transforming Your Blessed Nest into a Business Transaction: 13 Tips from the Top on Preparing Your Home for $aleby Kathryn Bechen
Kathryn Bechen Ink
Copyright 2009.
Dear Blog Friends,
Ah, the sweet summer month of June is nearly upon us and if you've been thinking of listing your home for sale this summer, you'll want to be sure to maximize that sale by using the tips below from a top award-winning real estate agency based in San Diego County, CA, The Alan Shafran Group. Their agency is currently ranked #7 out of 62,000 Prudential Real Estate agents worldwide. I interviewed firm partner and their Director of Sales, Michael Levison, for his best tips on preparing your home before the FOR SALE sign goes up. Michael was my personal realtor in 2007 and because their agency sells between 150-200 homes a year, I am confident you will find his tips most helpful.
1. Crisp Curb Appeal. We’ve all heard it before but it’s so true. “If the front yard area is not appealing, prospective buyers may not even make it to the front door,” says Levison. “Be sure the lawn, vines, shrubs, and trees are attractively manicured and any debris is picked up.”
2. Fresh Front Door. The front door should either be a nice wood-stained one or be painted a neutral color and have no chips or termite infestation. Forget a wreath unless it’s holiday time, which most buyers understand. Levison suggests that “If the home is still for sale after the holidays, the listing photos should be taken again, minus the holiday wreath and other holiday decorations."
3. Fabulous Foyer. Who isn’t drawn to sweet family pictures? The goal here though is to get the buyer to focus on the house, not on the owner’s Ivy League diploma or cutest son of the year award, so remove any personal effects and put them in storage. “Don’t give the buyers any information about the family’s personal life or give them reason to speculate why the home is for sale,” notes Levison.
4. Cut the Clutter. By the same token, get rid of the clutter throughout the entire house. File papers, pick up toys, and put knickknacks in storage. Enough said.
5. Paint Power. Bright wall colors should be repainted with warm off-white, candlelight, or light taupe paint. “Avoid stark white which feels cold and sterile,” suggests Levison.
6. Kitchen Kudos. “Countertops should be clear of appliances to give the impression of a lot of counter space,“ notes Levison. “This is true in all homes, but especially so in homes without limited counter space.” He suggests that the kitchen is the room that should most look like a “model home tour.” Remove any magnets, calendars, and kids’ art off the front of the fridge, for instance, and trash should not visible.
7. Master Bedroom Bliss. The bed should be made, of course. And although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it’s probably better to forgo a floral or very graphically patterned bedspread and opt for a neutral solid instead. “In the U.S. master bedrooms are an important feature and along with the kitchen, are the two areas buyers most focus on, “ says Levison.
8. Bathroom Brigade. Make sure mirrors and sinks are free of toothpaste and soap and that trashcans are empty. “If you love your designer mirrors and want them for your new home, take them down and replace them with standard retail store mirrors before you list the house,” says Levison. “In California, for instance, anything that’s attached to the structure stays with the house, so avoid any possible lawsuits by replacing beloved items before you list, “ he says.
9. Fido and Fluffy. Keep cat litter boxes covered and scrupulously clean. “If your dog is prone to jumping on people or has behavioral issues, house him in a closed room during showings,“ says Levison. He also recommends that pet odors be neutralized by burning sage and having the home and carpet professionally cleaned. “Be careful of scented candles or perfumed plug-ins as some people are allergic to them,” he says.
10. Clever Closets. Make sure closets are organized with hangers and shirt collars all facing the same way and sweaters folded, but Levison says it’s not necessary to purchase expensive custom organizer shelving.
11. Rich Repairs. According to Levison, a few dollars spent on repairs can yield thousands of dollars at the end of the sale. “Buy a can of W-D 40 and use it on those squeaky doors. Fix leaky showerheads, dripping faucets, and sticky windows. Replace outdated kitchen cabinet hardware and light fixtures, and caulk the bathroom tub. Fix broken concrete patios and bricks,” he advises.
12. Star Stagers and Organizers. If a homeowner's real estate agency employs an in-house staging professional like Levison’s firm, he heartily recommends sellers use this service. He says homeowners who actually want furniture physically moved and/or who have physical challenges that prevent them from decluttering or removing excess furniture themselves might consider hiring an independent professional stager and/or organizer.
13. Square Foot Savvy. Square footage is at a premium in some geographical areas and is very important to buyers so every effort should be made to have the house look spacious. “Arrange the furniture to highlight the traffic flow and conversation areas so that the square footage seems larger,” Levison notes.
Put these tips into place before listing your house, and then put your feet up, sit back with your favorite beverage, and wait for your “Home Sweet Home” to yield a profitable $ale for you and your family.
'Til Next Time!
Kathryn
