Make
Your House More "Sellable"
While
we all believe that our home is our castle, our personal
tastes may not appeal to everyone. We will work with you
to give you an impartial analysis of your home - how it
relates to other "competing" homes on the market
and how your home reflects current design and style trends.
Your agent will also take a good look at the general condition
and upkeep of your dwelling.
Overall,
we will work with you to position your home on the market
so that your sales experience will take place as expeditiously
as possible.
What We Will Do for You
Complete
a market analysis to determine a realistic asking price.
Make recommendations on making your home more "sellable."
Provide a professional marketing program. Advertise your
home on the Multiple Listings Service (MLS). Arrange showings.
Negotiate the best terms possible.
When You're Ready to List
One of the first things we will do is draft a listing agreement.
It provides prospective purchasers with:
- A
comprehensive, legal overview of your property:
-
zoning
- lot
size
- home
size
- type
of construction
- age
of the home
- The
agreed-upon asking price.
-
Details about the rooms (number and size).
- Chattels
included in the sale, as well as anything not included.
- Mortgage
details.
Advertise
Your Home on the Multiple Listings Service (MLS)
This service is only available to real estate agents. It
is a database of all the homes for sale through agents.
Details about your home will be available to other agents
searching for homes in your area, in the range of your asking
price.
Arrange
Showings
In addition to giving your home the once over with a mop
and dust cloth, have your agent prepare a home feature sheet.
This is a one page synopsis of your home that highlights
lot size, room dimensions, features and upgrades as well
as utility costs and taxes. Prospective buyers will take
a sheet and refer to it while viewing your home. Plus, it
makes for a great reference sheet when the buyers are comparing
properties.
The
Open House: This is usually not a pleasant experience. The
upside is that you usually won't have to be there to act
as a guide. The downside is that you might have a series
of open houses over a few weeks, with people poking through
all areas of your home. And you'll have the constant pressure
of keeping your home looking its best.
The
Viewing: When an agent has a client who is interested in
your home, they will first call to make an appointment with
your RE/MAX agent. If you're lucky, you'll have time for
the last-minute tidying. Of course, you can say no if the
prospective purchaser wishes to come at an inconvenient
time.
During
the viewing, make sure you give the viewer and the agent
a feature sheet and get the agent's business card. Give
viewers the freedom to wander around your home by themselves.
Following may make them uncomfortable. The agent will stay
with the prospects to offer some protection against theft
or property damage.
Is
Your House in Any Condition to Be Put Under a Microscope?
That's what they say about first impressions. Now, take
a look at your house as if you were a buyer. With a critical
eye, examine your home from outside and inside. Bring along
a pad of paper and take notes! Determine what can be solved
by a simple cleaning and what needs professional attention
and repair. Your list should also include problems that
are immediately evident and underlying problems you know
of, like a leaky basement.
Let's
start with the exterior of your home. Think of what you
would like to see when you're viewing a home, or better
still what you wouldn't like to see -- cluttered yard, weeds
crowding the garden, loose or dangling exterior features
(like a broken door), paint peeling, broken fence, or an
oil-stained, damaged driveway.
Get
out your ladder and inspect the roof. Are the shingles in
good shape, are the gutters in good condition and free of
debris? You may wish to trim back any trees or shrubs that
are leaning on your roof or drainage system.
Take
a good, objective look at the outside. Would what you're
facing invite you to explore further or make you ready to
leave?
Simply
having the lawn mowed or the driveway shoveled in the winter
will make a better impression. Also, remove any "cutesy"
lawn decorations that may have home viewers rolling their
eyes. And trim any overgrown shrubs or hedges. If you have
a sizable property, you may also wish to hire a professional
to weed and feed your lawn.
Flowers
are a very effective way of adding colour and warmth to
your home. If you're selling during the spring, plant flowers
to make the property colourful and inviting. A bouquet or
two in your house also adds a nice touch.
The
Next Step
You're in the home. Your five senses are alert. Is what
you see clean and organized? Is there an odour? Old shoes?
Stale cooking? Garbage? Pets? If there is, it could be a
deterrent to potential purchases. Bake cookies or simmer
potpourri before your home is shown to give your place a
comforting smell. Also, clean your carpets and air out your
home.
And
speaking of carpets, cleaning them is fairly inexpensive.
Without the grit, and with the carpet pile looking fresh,
your home takes on a new appearance. While you're at it,
take a broom around and brush your walls and light fixtures
to remove any cobwebs.
Work
your way from the ground up. Wash the walls or repaint soiled
areas. Touch up chips or plaster nicks. If you've used severe
designs or dark colours on your walls, you may wish to repaint
your home so that has a more neutral move-in appearance.
Also check the ceiling and plaster and repaint it white
if necessary.
Clean
and Shine
Put extra emphasis on your kitchen and bathroom. Replace
moldy shower curtains and clean mold and mildew off of bathroom
tiles. Caulk if necessary. Repair leaky faucets and replace
cracked toilet seats. Ensure that the toilet flushes properly.
Make certain that the drains are unclogged. Everything should
sparkle -- faucets, floors, counters, mirrors. What can
be cleaned, should be!
In
the kitchen, clean the stove and refrigerator, organize
the cupboards and wash the floor. Make certain your appliances
work. Wipe the walls, touch-up paint or re-stick wall paper
if necessary. Clean the sink and ensure that it drains properly
and the faucet doesn't leak. (When your home is shown, make
sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink and don't forget
to take out garbage out!)
Check
All Floors and Stairs
Replace missing or damaged tiles. Is there any wood rot?
Do the floors look clean? Does the wood need a good sanding
and varnishing? Does the floor squeak? (There's a new device
on the market that enables you to invisibly fix your squeaky
floor right through the carpet. Ask your hardware retailer
for details.)
Are
your stairs creaky? Are the handrails loose? Are there any
missing pieces?
Examine
All Doors and Windows
That means all interior and exterior doors. Look for structural
or surface damage. Do the doors need repainting? Do the
hinges squeak? Are the door knobs worn - and do they work?
Are
the windows drafty or are they properly caulked? Are they
easy to open? Are they clean? It goes without saying that
all window panes should be crystal clear and unbroken.
Take
a Good Look At the Basement
If it is finished, make sure that it is as spotless as the
rest of your home. If it is used as a storage area, eliminate
the clutter and organize all boxes. (This will also help
you with the move!) Check for any signs of dampness.
Have
the Plumbing and Electricity Checked
Are there leaky pipes or electrical outlets that don't work?
Have them repaired before you put your home on the market.
Also, it's a good idea to replace any broken switch or outlet
covers and match switches and covers to the room decor.
Make
Sure the Furnace and Air Conditioner Work
Replace the furnace filter and have the furnace and air
conditioner professionally serviced.
Don't
Just Hide Clutter
Buyers will look everywhere -- into cabinets, under carpets,
inside closets. (You think you had it bad with nosy relatives
poking around!) Plus, a clean house gives the impression
of being larger.
Home
Inspection Checklist
Make notes on what needs minor clean up and what needs a
major repair. Evaluate your home as if you were a potential
buyer, so the key is to be honest with yourself! |