TIPS TO USE PRIOR TO HOUSE SELLING

A good house most probably holds very great memories, which is why it sometimes gets emotionally and physically difficult to prepare one’s self for selling it in the market. But as life goes on, you may have to move – perhaps to a bigger home, or to a place nearer your area of work. 

Aside from the much-needed emotional detachment, It takes a lot of physical preparation to get a house ready for its next owner.

Here are a few tips that will help make your house stand out from all the other houses out in the very crowded real estate market.

Exert extra effort in making the facade beautiful. To a house-hunter viewing houses from the comfort of his car, the façade is key. It tells of how well-maintained a house is, and how meticulously clean the property is. Let’s face it, even when looking at a woman, the first thing you pay attention to is appearance – then, everything else follows. Same goes for houses – the more beautiful the front lawn, driveway and entrance, the more enticing it becomes. The façade is what people will see – and not the interior, so pay extra effort in keeping it pretty. Prune the wild hedges, trim the tree branches, replace dried up plants or grass, and don’t forget to scrub clean the driveway and porch. Rake the leaves, and keep all the personal items off the front lawn. If there are faucets, makes sure they all work properly, and are not leaking. If you have a fence or gate, ensure that it is in tip-top shape, and is actually capable of keeping off intruders  or the neighbour’s dog. If the window sills or the front door need repainting, then grab a can of paint and cover all cosmetic flaws. Spray wash the exterior to keep it looking (almost) brand new. Keeping the façade nice is important because it can make or break the deal. No one wants to move into a home that looks more beat up than their old one.

Make the interior sparkle. Now that you have succeeded in getting them inside the door, impress them on the inside as well. If you are staging your house – that means that you are still living in the house but have already put it up for sale - then you will have constant viewers coming in. Make sure the house is spic and span! Wash all windows – inside and out. Doing this helps the potential buyer notice the great view outside. Remove cobwebs! Yikes, this is a major turn off. Clean all tubs, showers, bathrooms and sinks. The bathroom is a really private area of the house which must be sparkling and germ-free. Scrub nooks and crannies, and repair faucets or shower leaks. In the main house, be sure to wax the floor (if they’re hardwood or vinyl) or vacuum the carpet. Dust all your furniture, and bring out all your “for show” towels, bed linen, and couch covers. Another thing you must never forget – clean out the refrigerator and cupboards. Viewers are most often curious (or nosey?), and like looking into the private world of the homeowners. Remember, a dirty dingy home is a sure sign that the house is not well cared for. An unkempt home almost always means that the house is in poor condition. Dust, mold, dirt and grime quickly deteriorate a house’ quality.

Make minor repairs. No one wants to buy a house that obviously needs repairs – well, not unless you’re selling it for a quarter of its perceived market value. It’s frustrating to move into a new house, then find the closet hinges loose, doorknobs defective , lights busted, and plumbing inefficient. Repair, or have a handyman come over and make the minor repairs on all the things that need to be fixed. Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. You have high hopes for your newly-purchased house, plunked in all your savings into it, bought new furniture in the style and colour you want, then took one shower, and voila -  the bathroom is flooded!  Or on a hot day, you discover the windows can’t be opened, or on a rainy night, you find your bed soaking in rainwater because of a leaky roof. Avoid being the recipient of a complaint or a possible court subpoena – small repairs go a long way. It shows you care for its new owner, and hope that she, too, will establish a lot of good memories in the home that was once yours.

Showing care in selling your home not only increases your chances of doubling your initial purchase price, it also shows your ideals as a person. When you care about your future buyers, you are perceived as trustworthy and reliable, and not as some greedy seller just out to get rid of his unwanted property.