Selling Your Home - Must Do's

Ready, set, sell! After all there’s a Stoneridge property calling you home, right? We’ve put together a check lists to help you start the process of selling your current home.

Buyer’s Eyes

· Take a tour of your own home with the critical eye of a prospective buyer. Go through each room and take note of any issue areas.

· Consider having an inspection for needed repairs done by a professional. Then determine if anything needs completed by a contractor or it can be diy’d.

· Research your home’s current market value. Look into getting an appraisal or get advice from real estate professionals.

· Start downsizing: Sell, donate, recycle or dump items you don’t need.

View from the Street

First impressions really do matter. You want to get a potential buyer’s attention from the start. If they like what they see on the outside, they’ll take the time to look inside and learn more about the offering.

· Does anything need painted? How’s the trim, doors, shutters?

· Does the siding need power washed and do the windows need cleaned?

· How about the roof? Any repairs needed?

· Do the address numbers or the welcome mat for the front door need replaced?

· Any cracks in the driveway or sidewalk that need repaired?

· Other areas to review:

· Clean out the gutters and downspouts

· Trim any trees or shrubs and rake leaves.

· Consider adding flowers or update with shrubs.

· Keep up on regular lawn maintenance – keep it mowed, watered and fertilized.

· Remove any clutter from site like toys or yard equipment.

· Pick-up after pets.

Deep Clean and Depersonalize

Systematically clean the whole house from top to bottom. A room by room approach is most efficient.

· Clear out excess or oversized furniture.

· Store away as much as you can including photos and other personal items.

· Organize closets.

· Dust from top to bottom.

· Repair cracks and holes in the walls and tackle any other minor repair issues.

· Make sure fireplaces are in working order.

· Freshen up interior walls with neutral paint colors.

· Scrub tile, clean hardwood floors and steam clean carpets and drapes.

· Consider replacing flooring that’s worn or stained.

· Arrange furniture to maximize spaces.

Give Kitchens and Bathrooms Extra TLC

The most used rooms draw the most attention so give them more of your time.

· Replace outdated hardware and fixtures.

· Recaulk sinks and bathtubs.

· Remove stains from sinks, toilets and tubs.

· Clean appliances.

· Declutter countertops.

· Organize pantry, cabinets and drawers.

· Deep clean floors.

Set the Stage

Now that it is all clean, create a welcoming environment. Don’t confuse staging with decorating. You want prospective buyers to get a sense of what their life would be like in that setting – not what a repeat of yours.

· Brighten rooms with higher wattage light bulbs.

· Pay attention to the entry way, front porch and deck.

· Add some potted plants.

· For viewings and open houses, appeal to buyer’s senses.

· Find daycare for pets.

· Open windows and curtains to let in fresh air and natural light, plus it shows off exterior views. Turn off TVs and turn on all the lights.

· Bake cookies or burn scented candles.

· Have light refreshments available.

Get the Word Out

If you choose to work with a professional realtor, they will provide a host of tools essential to successfully selling your home. If you decide to take the do-it-yourself route, you may want to add these to your list of to-dos.

· Prepare a description sheet and assemble important documents like inspection reports, purchase offer forms and homeowner’s association rules.

· Let your family, friends and neighbors help you network.

· Keep them informed of open house dates and times.

· Utilize social media as well as traditional ads in local newspapers and shoppers.

· Use free listings on sites like Craigslist.com.

· Hold an open house complete with refreshments just for brokers and local agents to let them know your home is ready to sell.