You’re getting ready to put your home on the market and you want it to stand out from off the rest…but how do you make it shine? Here are our tips for making that great first impression.
Start by being your buyer, forget your attachments and be critical of your home, it’s not fun but it will give you perspective. Start where the buyer will start: Stand in front of your home and ask the following:
· Street Appeal - Is the street neat in front of your home, are your sidewalks weed free, as well as your driveway?
· Landscaping - Is the grass in good shape? Are the shrubs overgrown?
· The Home’s Exterior - Does the front door need a fresh coat of paint? How does the roof and gutters look? Do the windows need cleaning or repainting?
Now, enter the front door and remember the senses: Light, Color, Sound and Smell:
· Are all your lights working, with proper wattage bulbs? Are your drapes or blinds open to allow maximum natural light?
· Are the walls and floors done in neutral colors? Buyers can be put off by strong colors or outdated wall papers that are outside their personal palette .
· Are there mechanical noises or a running dishwasher that may be distracting?
· Can I smell pets or smoke?
Proceed through each room asking:
· Is there an easy, clear path into the house?
· Can I eliminate any items on the kitchen or bath counters?
· Are the bathroom and kitchen “sparkling” clean?
· Do any rooms look overcrowded? Is there one piece of furniture that can be stored out of sight?
· Are there items stacked on stairways?
· Could I weed out closets to make them appear larger?
· Are there stains on any ceilings?
· Do the hardwood floors need refinishing?
When you are interviewing your Realtor® go over each of the above items. Ask that if changed would it be considered a good investment and make your home more attractive. Remember as hard as you may look, your Realtor® will have a fresh eye and see what you not see.
More than likely the reason you’re selling your home is because you want to purchase a larger home. In other words, you’ve outgrown your home and probably have a lot of “stuff”. By removing or at least packing away some items during the listing period your home will look bigger and more spacious to potential buyers. If cabinets, closets, garage and basement are packed full the house will not appear large enough to buyers.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Home Inspections:
The majority of buyers have a home inspection contingency in their offer to purchase. We encourage our buyer clients to spend this extra money to insure that the major mechanicals are in good working order.
A licensed home inspector will check the property for evidence of wood destroying insects. If such evidence, active or not, is found buyers request treatment for this infestation prior to closing. This expense is normally covered by the seller.
The inspector will do an exterior exam of the roof, siding and chimney. From there he will start in the basement of the house inspecting the general structure, furnace, hot water heater, plumbing and electrical box. He will look for signs of water penetration. Next he will usually check any appliances included in the sale. A sampling of outlets are checked for grounding and reverse polarity. Windows are spot checked to insure property operation. Each bathroom fixture is inspected for leakage, proper installation and function.
It is highly suggested that buyers have a radon test done on the property as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Your home inspector can supply the test for you.
Buyers and sellers should plan on the inspections taking at least two hours. Buyers are encouraged to be in attendance so they may ask questions and get some instruction on the general operation of the house.
Some of the most common issues that arise as a result of home inspections are:
· Chimney needs re-pointing
· Double tapping in the electrical box.
· Reverse polarity of electrical outlets.
· Minor plumbing leaks.
· Automatic garage door emergency reverse not working.
· Furnace needs cleaning.
Mold is one of the hot topics at home inspections these days. An inspector or specialist may be brought in for testing it, but do your research first. You want to know what kinds of a mold are a threat and what kinds we live with everyday with out a problem (remember: Nobel Prize Winner Alexander Flemming found penicillin, a mold fought bacteria in 1928). At a later date we will discuss more about mold and it's rise in the inspection process.
If you are a handy owner, it makes sense to take care of any of these problems before your house goes under deposit. If discovered during an inspection the buyers will be requesting that a licensed contractor perform the repairs.
A licensed home inspector will check the property for evidence of wood destroying insects. If such evidence, active or not, is found buyers request treatment for this infestation prior to closing. This expense is normally covered by the seller.
The inspector will do an exterior exam of the roof, siding and chimney. From there he will start in the basement of the house inspecting the general structure, furnace, hot water heater, plumbing and electrical box. He will look for signs of water penetration. Next he will usually check any appliances included in the sale. A sampling of outlets are checked for grounding and reverse polarity. Windows are spot checked to insure property operation. Each bathroom fixture is inspected for leakage, proper installation and function.
It is highly suggested that buyers have a radon test done on the property as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Your home inspector can supply the test for you.
Buyers and sellers should plan on the inspections taking at least two hours. Buyers are encouraged to be in attendance so they may ask questions and get some instruction on the general operation of the house.
Some of the most common issues that arise as a result of home inspections are:
· Chimney needs re-pointing
· Double tapping in the electrical box.
· Reverse polarity of electrical outlets.
· Minor plumbing leaks.
· Automatic garage door emergency reverse not working.
· Furnace needs cleaning.
Mold is one of the hot topics at home inspections these days. An inspector or specialist may be brought in for testing it, but do your research first. You want to know what kinds of a mold are a threat and what kinds we live with everyday with out a problem (remember: Nobel Prize Winner Alexander Flemming found penicillin, a mold fought bacteria in 1928). At a later date we will discuss more about mold and it's rise in the inspection process.
If you are a handy owner, it makes sense to take care of any of these problems before your house goes under deposit. If discovered during an inspection the buyers will be requesting that a licensed contractor perform the repairs.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Interviewing a Realtor to List Your Home
The following are suggested questions for you to ask an agent when you are “hiring” them to list your property:
· How long have you been in the business?
· Are you a full time agent? Do you hold any other jobs?
· How many agents are in you office? Are they full time as well? Do the agents in your office tour the property?
· How many listings does your office presently have? How many do you have? How many will you carry at once?
· Where and how often will my property be advertised, and will it be a word or photo ad?
· What web sites will feature my property? How many photos will be on each website?
· Will a visual tour of the property be taken? Where will this tour be available on-line?
· Will you do open houses and how often? How is this an advantage to me?
· Will you prepare a photo flyer to be placed in the house? Ask to see a sample.
· What other marketing do you plan?
· What will you do if my homes does not sell in the first 30 days?
· Are Broker Open Houses warranted in our area?
· How do you handle multiple offers?
· How are showings of my home arranged? How do other Realtors® get access to my house? Are you present for all showings?
· How do you know if a Buyer is qualified when they make an offer?
When you want to ask these questions, please call us to answer! Team von Hollen wants to list your house right and get it sold quickly and at the best price for you…call us as 860-548-7483.
· How long have you been in the business?
· Are you a full time agent? Do you hold any other jobs?
· How many agents are in you office? Are they full time as well? Do the agents in your office tour the property?
· How many listings does your office presently have? How many do you have? How many will you carry at once?
· Where and how often will my property be advertised, and will it be a word or photo ad?
· What web sites will feature my property? How many photos will be on each website?
· Will a visual tour of the property be taken? Where will this tour be available on-line?
· Will you do open houses and how often? How is this an advantage to me?
· Will you prepare a photo flyer to be placed in the house? Ask to see a sample.
· What other marketing do you plan?
· What will you do if my homes does not sell in the first 30 days?
· Are Broker Open Houses warranted in our area?
· How do you handle multiple offers?
· How are showings of my home arranged? How do other Realtors® get access to my house? Are you present for all showings?
· How do you know if a Buyer is qualified when they make an offer?
When you want to ask these questions, please call us to answer! Team von Hollen wants to list your house right and get it sold quickly and at the best price for you…call us as 860-548-7483.
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