Make the extra effort now for smooth sailing (and selling) later. If your goal is to sell your home you should crank things up a notch to get a speedy sale. If you tackle these eight tasks you’ll have buyers racing to put in an offer!
8 seller tasks that makes or breaks your sale
1. Caulk and re-grout
Have a look at every one of the baseboards and moldings in your home. Are there any areas needing caulk? Examine areas around bathtubs and showers too. When was the last time these had any touch-ups with caulking or re grouting?
The time has come to renew these areas to ensure they are looking well maintained.
2. Appliances
When was the last time the refrigerator was cleaned out and wiped down? How about the oven? Give those appliances a deep cleaning inside and out.
Buyers are going to be opening that oven door and peeking in the dishwasher. There’s nothing more of a turnoff than seeing burnt remnants of Thanksgiving dinner or baked items from years ago. Ditto for a dishwasher full of hard water stains or worn elements.
3. Sprinkler system
It is now time to check the system and how it is running. Are there any sprinkler heads hitting the house that should be adjusted? Any components broken and in need of replacement?
Lawn mowers and weed whackers can unknowingly damage these parts, so it is advisable to determine if all is working correctly.
4. Chimney and fireplace
It can be simple to overlook this one. Regardless of whether you have been using the fireplace occasionally or regularly throughout the years, it’s usually a good idea to have the chimney swept as well as the flue checked.
When there’s a pile of soot from fires five holiday seasons ago, it will be a good idea to have all of that cleaned out. With winter coming soon in many parts of the country, combined with the holidays, you might have buyers who are going to be seeking homes with cozy fireplaces where they can hang stockings and roast marshmallows.
5. Window treatments and window sills
This one is simple to forget because beyond opening and closing the blinds or curtains, the majority of people don’t do much with these every day. With regards to cleaning, We’re not referring to pushing the dust around and calling it day, but truly vacuuming and wiping down the blinds or shutters so they are free of dust, debris and dead bugs.
Window sills also need to be checked for peeling paint, discoloration and moisture stains. Regardless of what type of window coverings you have, check to ensure they are operational and functioning properly.
Buyers won’t just open and close blinds but also pull them up and down. For those who have electronically controlled shades, ensure the controls are accessible and that the batteries work.
Curtains can accumulate dust from blocking the sun, so it’s best if you have these washed or professionally cleaned if needed, and don’t forget to clean the curtain rods. If they have seen better days, consider updating them for a more current look.
Remember, the home inspector will have to operate all window coverings as well as open them to examine the windows. Be extra careful with vertical blinds – it doesn’t take much to have a loose blind (or two or three) fly off the track while a prospective buyer pushes them back from the sliding glass door so they are able have a look at backyard. Ditto for blinds that once pulled up won’t go back down – and also for the wands that fall off while attempting to open them.
6. Screens
Speaking of windows, do every one of the windows have screens, or are they meant to? Accounting for screens is sometimes a fire drill that comes up within the final walk-through. It is something sellers often forget to address in the chaos of finalizing an offer and moving, and buyers think about during the final walkthrough.
Are there any missing screens that should be replaced? Are the screens in good shape or in need of repair? Now is the time to do an evaluation and address accordingly, prior to the house going on the market.
7. Attic check
When was the last time you ventured up there? You’d be surprised at what is often left behind or forgotten on the day a seller is moving out – golf clubs, treasured holiday decorations or other heirlooms. There’s often unwanted stuff too.
Take care of clearing this space out now so you won’t forget to later. Once a buyer is found for the home, things have a tendency to go in fast-forward (or at least it would appear that way). Because there are many things coming at sellers – inspections, repairs, packing and moving – it usually is easy to leave things in the attic behind.
And while you are up there, look for any missing or loose insulation.
8. Safety
And finally, putting a home on the market means you will have many visitors during showings, open houses and agent previews. Ensure that your homeowner’s insurance is current, and take steps to ensure your driveway, walkways safe and home easy to navigate.
In case there are sunken living rooms or steps down into an area, place signs reminding visitors of this. Ensure lighting is bright and accessible. Fix any loose pavers, raised or buckling concrete and sidewalks that may pose a trip risk.
Make sure that there are plenty of doormats for buyers to wipe their feet and caution if any floors are slippery. Ask buyers to remove shoes when showing, especially when it rains outside, to prevent potential slip and falls.
Finally, remove and secure any valuable items and prescription medications before showings, or consider storing them offsite altogether. Any special collections of prized spirits and wine ought to be secured. Thefts during open houses are certainly not uncommon.
While the prep-for-sale list can feel endless, taking these steps now will guarantee a smoother transaction and closing process ultimately for everyone involved.
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Have a questions or concern? Nick, Cindy & Nicholas Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group are here to assist you with all your Real Estate Needs. We are always available at 813-300-7116 to answer your questions or you can simply click here and we will be in touch with you shortly.
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