SPECIAL SECTION:
Real Estate
7. BUYING/SELLING:
WAYS TO
PREPARE YOUR
HOUSE FOR SALE
In the market to sell your home? Follow these tips on
how to optimize the home-selling process.
• Make sure your landscaping is appealing to the eye
and aligns with the season.
• Add shrubs, plants or flowers to line the front of your
home to add curb appeal.
• Use a power washer or a hose attachment sprayer to
clean the exterior of your home.
• Clean out gutters and wash windows.
• Make repairs to screens, leaks, and broken windows
where possible.
• A fresh coat of paint on the front door, a new
welcome mat and an inviting entrance can give a
great first impression.
• Add or refresh house numbers to make them visible
from the curb.
• Make the entryway valuable by adding a simple coat
rack if there isn’t a closet.
• Remove shoes, bags, coats and excess furniture from
the entryway.
• Make sure the view from the entryway is clear into all
visible rooms.
• Remove oversized furniture and organize remaining
furniture to make the room look as large as possible.
• Leave just enough furniture in each room to show
the purpose of the room.
• Depersonalize rooms by removing photographs of
family, personal sayings and artwork.
• Open curtains and blinds to allow as much natural
light in as possible.
• Leave countertops clear of small appliances and
wipe them down.
• Clean out cabinets, refrigerator and pantry to allow
for a roomy look.
• Clean carpets and flooring before showing
your home.
• Clean mirrors, countertops and sink bowls.
• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
• Close your toilet lid.
• Hang fresh towels in the bathrooms in neutral colors.
• Eliminate harsh odors with natural scents or
by adding fresh flowers or baking a batch of
cookies (Yum!).
• Paint rooms with neutral colors to appeal to
more buyers.
• Declutter closets by removing half of your clothes,
giving the illusion of more space.
• Clear out the garage as much as possible to leave
extra room for cars.
• Sit back and get ready for some offers!
48
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
icmags.com
Get a second opinion.
When you have lived in your home for years, it’s easy to
overlook problems that potential buyers may spot right away.
Have a relative or trusted friend come over to spot any small
fixes that you can make prior to putting your home on the
market to make sure it’s in optimal condition prior to selling.
When considering buying a home, it’s also helpful to have
someone who is not buying the home go with you to take a
look. He/she will be able to point out potential issues that you
may not see when trying to make such an important decision.
8. SELLING:
Ignore the housing market.
Don’t waste your time watching the housing market for
the best time to sell. According to Investopedia, “it doesn’t
matter what your home is worth at any given moment except
the moment when you sell it. Being able to choose when you
sell your home, rather than being forced to sell it due to job
relocation or financial distress, will be the biggest determinant
of whether you will see a solid profit from your investment.”
9. SELLING:
Will renovating always increase my resale value?
Make conscious decisions when renovating your home.
While newer will entice potential buyers, be cognizant of
what rooms you update and how you do it. While updated
kitchens will increase the value of your home, be sure to appeal
to a wide range of tastes. A good place to start is with the
appliances. Realtor.com states that homes with stainless steel
appliances sell 15 percent faster than those without. Updated
bathrooms are easier to satisfy a wider range of buyers’ desires
for luxury, but be sure to keep the colors neutral.
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