Getting Your Home Ready For Sale
There’s no doubt that homeowners have sprung into action to get their homes in the best shape for buyers taking advantage of low interest rates, tax credits and balanced home prices. But when it comes to spring-cleaning time, sellers just need a little elbow grease to make their homes more attractive and appealing to the season’s buyers.
“Spring historically is a popular time to put a home on the market but it’s also more competitive,” said Fran Broude, president and COO of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “It’s wise to get an early start on those improvement projects around the house if you’re planning to have your home on the market by the end of winter.”
To be efficient in prepping your home for a spring sale, consider this advice:
• Face front. Take note of imperfections such as flaky paint, overgrown foliage from the fall or sagging gutters. These flaws are easy and inexpensive to repair and eliminate doubts when buyers pull up curbside. Give them every reason to take a closer look.
• Clutter cleanup. Disorganization makes a home feel smaller, so create a feeling of spaciousness by putting unneeded clothes, furniture and accessories in storage, or better yet, donating them to a local organization. Basements, garages and closets are common areas where clutter can accumulate, but don’t overlook the obvious clutter that rests on the kitchen counter or bedside table.
• Different points of view. Friends and family are not always the best sources of advice on what to fix up around the house, because they may be accustomed to the way your home looks or don’t want to hurt your feelings. Get an objective, third-party opinion from a Realtor or home stager who can offer unbiased feedback about the minor facelifts that can improve your bottom line.
“Spring historically is a popular time to put a home on the market but it’s also more competitive,” said Fran Broude, president and COO of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “It’s wise to get an early start on those improvement projects around the house if you’re planning to have your home on the market by the end of winter.”
To be efficient in prepping your home for a spring sale, consider this advice:
• Face front. Take note of imperfections such as flaky paint, overgrown foliage from the fall or sagging gutters. These flaws are easy and inexpensive to repair and eliminate doubts when buyers pull up curbside. Give them every reason to take a closer look.
• Clutter cleanup. Disorganization makes a home feel smaller, so create a feeling of spaciousness by putting unneeded clothes, furniture and accessories in storage, or better yet, donating them to a local organization. Basements, garages and closets are common areas where clutter can accumulate, but don’t overlook the obvious clutter that rests on the kitchen counter or bedside table.
• Different points of view. Friends and family are not always the best sources of advice on what to fix up around the house, because they may be accustomed to the way your home looks or don’t want to hurt your feelings. Get an objective, third-party opinion from a Realtor or home stager who can offer unbiased feedback about the minor facelifts that can improve your bottom line.
Posted by North Shore Homes at 3/22/2010 4:41 PM 
Categories: Chicago Real Estate, Selling a Home, Real Estate, North Shore Real Estate, Chicago's North Shore Real Estate
Tags: Home Buying Home Sales Selling Your Home
Categories: Chicago Real Estate, Selling a Home, Real Estate, North Shore Real Estate, Chicago's North Shore Real Estate
Tags: Home Buying Home Sales Selling Your Home
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