If you plan on selling your house in 2011 here's a New Year's Resolution List to follow. I know that most people end up making a list and then forgetting about it, or not even making a list at all but if you plan on selling your house in the coming year, there are steps you can take to make sure you compete in the marketplace.
1. Make up your mind that you really want to sell your house and that you will do what it takes to sell it. Putting your house on the market is never easy. It involves lots of paperwork; reliving of fond memories; strangers going through your house and having your life disrupted. And when you do decide to sell it, it is at this time that you must begin to think of your home as a HOUSE... a product to be marketed.
2. Enlist the services of a Professional Realtor, Home Stager, Home Inspector and Lender. Consider them your team. Yes many people have sold their home on their own but at some point in the process they sought the services of a professional. Give yourself the best opportunity to compete in the market and also to have a smooth transition once it is sold.
And when you do choose your team, listen to them, whether it's about List Price, Decluttering or the repairs you need to make.
3. Vow to make your house white glove clean... every surface, behind, under and on top of every piece of furniture. Every place visible to the eye and those that can't be seen. Make a mop, bucket, soap, and elbow grease your friend.
4. Tackle all of those repairs and house projects that you've been putting off. You know the ones.... outdated light fixtures, chipped tile, leaky faucets. We live with them on a daily basis, but NOT when your house is on the market.
5. Pack up, Donate or Throw Away all of the excess in your house. You're going to have to when your house sells, so why not do it BEFORE you list it. Let your buyers focus on your house... its architectural detail, the "Liveability" of it... not all of the THINGS in it.
6. Do as much as you can to bring your house into the year 2011. That means updating carpet if needed; taking down old wallpaper borders; removing light fixtures that scream the 70's. Not every project has to make a huge dent in your budget but there are projects you can tackle that offer a better Return on Your Investment.
If you're not sure, ask a Professional Home Stager for a consultation BEFORE you start ripping, painting or plastering.
OK SELLERS Here's to a Happy 2011! Now let's get going and Get It Sold!
No matter the price point or location of your house, it needs to be clean! That includes every space that can be seen and even those that can't. Dirt is distracting. It also signals to the Buyer that other regular maintenance items may not have been taken care of. Don't derail the sale of your house because of a little dirt!
