Preparing your House For the Market

I get a LOT of calls from people who are contemplating selling their home. They almost all ask the same thing: what are the main things that I can do to prepare my house for the market. I'm so glad they ask because this is a very competitive market and it takes some time to get your house in top shape. Here are some ideas for what you can do to prepare your house for the market:

1. Paint! If you can do nothing else, paint your walls. A fresh coat of paint covers a multitude of sins. Be sure to use only one neutral color of flat (such as antique white or eggshell) and a high gloss pure white for your trim. Keep it simple and keep it neutral.

2. Be sure to remove any wallpaper - most potential buyers will not want wallpaper and they especially won't want yours. When people see wallpaper, they immediately think of the work that will be involved in removing it (not much if you do it correctly) and it detracts from the house in their mind.

3. PURGE! Yes, get rid of the clutter and get those closets organized. This is very important because it allows the buyers to see the space that your house has to offer. It is very difficult for people to visualize the space looking different when they'll own it so you need to make it look great when they see it. If you could use the services of a personal organizer, please call me and I will be happy to recommend one to you.

4. Stage the house! Get rid (now) of furniture you don't think you'll take with you when you move so you'll have more space to stage the furniture that you do have to give your house an open floorplan feel. If you would like to use the services of a professional stager, please call me for a recommendation.

5. Window Treatments. First, make sure that the blinds that you have are clean. Dusty or dirty blinds are not only unsightly, but they retain odors. To clean them, remove them and soak them in your bathtub for 10 minutes. The water shold contain 3 parts water to 1 part ammonia. Use a scrub brush for blinds that have grease (from the kitchen). Lay them out on a flat surface like a driveway to dry out before rehanging them. Wash fabric window treatments.

6. Speaking of windows, while you have the blinds soaking, clean the windows themselves. Have a clean & clear view for your potential buyers. Use a good streak-free window cleaner.

7. If you can, replace the carpet (be sure you paint first!). This will give the house a nearly brand new feel when combines with the paint. If you really want to sell it and add value to the house, replace the carpet with hardwood floors. Buyers like this because it's healthier (especially for those with allergies) and easier to keep clean than carpet.

8. Perform a spring cleaning! For a light clean, go through and declutter, dust, clean and check all light fixtures for working bulbs. Check your smoke alarm, too. If you really want to deep clean and go over it with a fine-tooth comb, visit this site and get a print out of the most serious spring cleaning plan that I've ever seen: THE GRAND PLAN

9. Upgrade! Kitchens and bathrooms are the 2 rooms where you should focus your energy and your dollars. Replace the old fixtures with new ones. (faucets, lights, towel racks, drawer/cabinet hardware). Be sure that drains are not slow while you're working in there.

10. Landscape. At the bare minimum, your yard should be raked, clean and have a trimmed lawn. You can also trim your hedges, spread some mulch and plant some flowers that require little water. Be sure to remove any junk, toys or yard debris.

11. Look at your mailbox. Is it a rust bucket? Does it look battered? Consider replacing it. It will be one of the first things people see when they come to look at your house. If you don't have the funds to replace it, at least paint it so that it looks new. A small can of spray paint for metal would work well. Be sure to paint the post as well. The mailbox is also a great place to plant some flowers.

12. Odors - get rid of them. Clean every surface that you possibly can. If you smoke, be sure to wipe everything down from the walls to the doors to the ceilings and ceiling fans. If you want to use an air freshener, use the kind that plug in and have a liquid base. Method has some great scents as well as other great home cleaning products. Using matching scents can go a long way in removing odors as you clean.

For more ideas about preparing to sell your home or to find out what it may be worth in today's market, please give me a call at 770-862-8002.

-Michael Bradford
Southern Prime Realty

A New Informational Tool

This is a "Talking House" sign. It's a new tool in my selling package that I'm so excited to tell you about. How does it work? you ask....

It is a simple technology that uses a small radio transmitter to broadcast facts and features about a house in a small area near the home. The transmitter is placed inside of the house and stays on a continual loop so that a potential buyer can hear it over and over.

When you list a house with me, I will put one of these signs in your yard so that potential buyers can listen to all of the features that make your home stand out above the rest. This sign keeps people off of your lawn (to get flyers that are continually running out, getting wet and causing your grass to be trampled on). This Talking House is a free service to my customers.

If you are interested in listing your Cherokee or Cobb County house for sale, please give me a call today at 770-862-8002. I will show you all of the tools I plan to use to get your house sold quickly. Thanks!

-Michael Bradford
Associate Broker, Southern Prime Realty