Getting Your Home Ready for the Market

A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make small repairs to your home can go a long way in making sure that your home is presented to potential buyers in its best possible light. A home that is well cared for commands a higher price.

As a seller, your No. 1 goal is to sell your home as quickly as possible at or near the listing price. In today's market, where there is much more competition for buyers, it is important that you home shows at its best because first impressions are vital.

Many of today's prospective homebuyers have busy lifestyles and are looking for properties that don't require a lot of work. Therefore a home in move-in condition is far more attractive. Before placing your home on the market, you may want to invest in making needed repairs.

You do not need to over spend for your home to show well. Inspect both the inside and outside of the home. Take inventory of practical and aesthetic repairs. You may want to apply a fresh coat of paint on the walls, doors, and shutters. Clean the carpet, buff and polish wooden floors. Tighten and polish hardware. Repair cracks in sidewalks and driveways, and clean any stains on them. Replace missing or warped roofing. Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms. Repair dripping faucets and drains or plumbing fixtures that aren't operating.

Fix sticking doors and replace old locks and doorknobs. Replace old bulbs and broken electrical sockets. Replace cracked windows and torn screens. Repair broken fencing and reseal the deck. Clean up stains on the tiles and countertops.

Some experts also recommend hiring a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate the property. I would be happy to provide you with a list of recommended inspectors in your area. You can also visit the American Society of Home Inspectors website, www.ashi.com. A standard report will review the condition of the home's heating system, central air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors, the foundation, basement and visible structure.

If there are recommendations for improvement, I will help you in prioritizing the list of repairs.

Depending on your goals and budget, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to the home, such as a leak. In addition, your local market conditions may dictate how extensive your repairs need to be. My job is to help guide you in getting your home ready for the market, working within your budget.