June 2, 2004

Preparing to sell your home

By Donna Nardi, Realtor
Special to the Times

With real estate inventories increasing, what can you do prior to listing your home on the market that will make it stand out and sell faster for a better price?

First impressions go a long way, so curb appeal is a must! It need not be terribly expensive, and you can do much of it yourself. First, remove all litter, clutter, excess brush and shrubbery, ugly or unhealthy trees. I can’t stress cleanliness enough!

Once you have a clean palette, you can start to work on a simple landscaping scheme. Tan bark can work wonders, along with a few colorful plants and flowers. If your lawn is looking somewhat tattered, consider installing sod. Your goal is to make prospective buyers stop and take a second look!

Be sure the exterior is painted nicely with attractive, neat colors. The front door should be clean and in good repair, or it should be replaced. If you have a front porch, put a cozy seating area there to encourage a homey feel. Add potted plants and other items that will spiff it up.

The inside of the house should be painted in attractive, but neutral colors. Buyers want to imagine themselves in your home, and bold “you” colors can be a detractor. If something needs repair, do it! Don’t let buyers be the ones to discover a necessary repair! If you wait until you’re in contract, you then must hire a licensed contractor to do the work. Again, cleanliness is key! Let it sparkle! Bring in the outdoor light—don’t cover too much of the windows.

Remove all “extra” furniture, and especially clutter! Let’s face it, we all live with too much clutter, but it’s not attractive when selling your home! You want your home to look as spacious as possible. When buyers are looking to see if their furniture will fit, it’s virtually impossible when the rooms are stuffed with furniture and other cluttery stuff!

The three action items that cannot be stressed too much are: curb appeal, good repair and clutter elimination! If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and work, costs are minimal. Hire a handyman or contractor, if necessary.

As for remodeling, be sure to carefully consider what will bring you the best return for your dollar when you sell. If you’re planning to sell in the near future, most remodels are wasteful. But, when you do decide it’s worth it to you, consider the following:

—Be sure the changes fit in with your neighborhood. Don’t overdo it! It’s unlikely your improved home will appraise at the higher perceived value.

—Go conservative! You can always express your individuality with furniture and accessories, then take them with you. Keep the home’s décor neutral, when appropriate.

—Renovations that give the best return are the kitchen and bathrooms (more than 90 percent return). Consider popular updates to make it appealing to future buyers. You don’t want a buyer to walk through your home and comment, “It’s so dated,” and then walk out.

—Choose a reputable contractor. Check for proof of insurance, licensing and bonding. It’s a great idea to talk to references. Be sure your contract is complete and covers all details and possible scenarios.

If you think replacing your windows is a “must” before putting your home on the market, don’t! Window replacement will give you a good return (68 to 74 percent). Do it only if you will be there long enough to enjoy it.

You never know, after doing all the work, you may fall in love with your home all over again and decide to stay!