Preparing Your Home to Sell at the best possible price and shortest time

Thinking of Selling your Miami area Home? Read These 20 Things to Consider.

This home sellers guide was put together to help sellers make logical decisions on moving or selling. We as people get accustomed to our environment and what we see is not necessarily what someone else sees. After all, our home is our castle. Sometimes we need to step back or get a second opinion or another set of eyes as to what it looks like to someone else. Home sellers should not be offended, it is better to get it done now rather than later and get disappointed and not sell your home or not get its true market value. This is why we put this Home Sellers Guide together. We hope that it helps you and if you need a second opinion we are here to help.

Pretend You Are The Buyer

1. Put on you buyers hat and go through your home. Start outside and then inside and make notes as you walk Home Sellers Guidethrough. Be critical and honest with yourself as if you are buying your house. Some sellers often ask home inspectors to do a home inspection before listing it. Home inspectors do not charge a lot of money but will be able to give you a good idea of areas that could turn off potential buyers. Spending few hundred dollars on home inspector now will save you thousands of dollars and delays in negotiations on the price.

First Impressions Sell

2. Go through the house, and organize and clean. Remove all clutter, box and pack all items that are not being used, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. You may want to consider some help with staging. You have a tough choice, store items off-site or in boxes neatly stacked in garage or basement. Clean the windows inside and out, vacuum and shampoo carpets, paint or wipe down walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get estimates for some of the items that home inspector pointed out to you. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn out or will need replacement soon, such as roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

Document Your Repairs

4. Go through and make a list of items that were repaired or replaced during your ownership, you will need them for sellers disclosure. Gather all the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house, buyers will be asking you questions and it is better to know. Consider buying a home warranty, it makes buyers more secure as to the condition of the property.

Curb Appeal is Everything

5. The exterior is the first thing buyers see when they drive by or come to see the house. Make sure that that the lawnCurb Appeal and shrubs are cut and trimmed. There is no trash or debris that got blown in by the wind. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? Are all the lights working and turned on if it is dusk? A bit of help from a local handyman could go a long way.

If you are planning to hire a Realtor do so. Realtors are great at giving advice and know what to look for and have access to home inspectors that they have worked with and trust to give an honest opinion about the condition. They can also help you stage the property or know of someone that can help you declutter and make your property look more presentable. 

* This Home Sellers Guide is for reference use only as an example, it is not intended to be used as a rule of thumb or legal advice just to help guide and help potential home sellers with the process.

Simple Tips for Better Home Showings

Some of the things we talk about may seem like common sense, however, they are very important and should not be overlooked. Ask a friend or the next door neighbor that is visiting you to go through the house, and tell you what they see. Don’t get offensive, just listen and take notes and then just do it. The better your home shows the faster you will sell it and sooner you will be enjoying your new place.

Make your Home Feel Larger

1. Remove clutter from counters and every room and closets. Get rid of all those stacks of newspapers and magazines you have been saving, and put away most of your small decorative items. Remove excess furniture and either store it offsite or sell it if you do not intend to take it with you, pack up remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.

2. Wash your windows and replace ripped or damaged screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home.

3. Everything must be extra clean. We know that you are living in a house, but you never know when that next showing appointment may be. A clean house makes a strong first impression and sends a message to potential buyers that the home has been well-cared for. Clean light switch plates, mop, vacuum and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it.

How Clean is Clean

4. Get rid of smells. Pet and cooking smells tend to stay in the house for some time. Clean carpeting and drapes toHow Clean is Clean eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smell. If it is not cold outside open the window let some air in. Potpourri or scented candles may help, but there is nothing like cleaning things first.

5. Bright rooms make them feel larger more spacious. Install higher wattage bulbs if allowed in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Any burned out bulbs must be replaced. Wipe down the walls, or better yet, freshen up with a fresh coat of neutral color paint.

6. Don’t overlook minor repairs. These minor problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house is neglected.

First Impressions do Matter

7. First impressions tend to make or break the deals. Tidy your yard. Trim the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the

bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Don’t forget driveways are a large part of the house. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. There is nothing like some color to add some life to the room. Add a touch of color to the living room. A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.

10. Some flowering plant put near a window will give character to the room you pass by frequently.

11. Centerpieces for your tables and these do not need to be large or expansive. Use brightly colored fruit or flowers. If you already have one make sure that they are clean and look great.

We hope that you found some of these tips helpful and your home is on its way to getting sold. If you need help with any of the items we talked about or you have some questions that you need help with that we did not cover even if they seem silly we are here to help. You may reach us direct at 786-505-4786 

* This home sellers guide is for reference use only as an example, it is not intended to be used as a rule of thumb or legal advice just to help guide and help potential sellers with a process.

Exterior:

1. Make sure your lawn is mowed and edged.  The first impression a buyer will get of your home is from the outside.  Curb appeal is very important.  If you don’t have the time to keep the lawn mowed and edged, now is the time when hiring a service would benefit you.  This way you don’t have to worry about making sure it always is done in time for a buyer to see it or an open house.
2. Trim all the trees and shrubs on your property.  If you can’t reach some of your tree’s or have the equipment to trim the trees and shrubs, we suggest you hire a landscape company to get it in shape for you.  You can also rent the equipment from a rental company if you would prefer to do it yourself.
3. Plant some flowers or display large flower pots.  This is the best way to brighten up your yard and enhance that curb appeal.  You can pick up inexpensive pots at a pottery place, K-Mart, Target, Home Depot, or even at a Garage Sale.  These same places carry all types of flowers and shrubs too at good prices.
4. Sweep and clean all sidewalks and pathways.  If you are in a climate that has snow and ice, make sure you clean the sidewalks and pathways and also the decks and put down salt so it clears and no one falls.  Make sure no toys, papers, or outside tools are left in the walk-ways.
5. Repair and clean all windows.  Replace any cracked or broken windows and make sure they are clean for a well maintained look.
6. Clean all eaves and drain spouts.  Blocked eaves and drain spouts can lead to damage that will cost more than keeping them clean.  A ladder and either your hand or a small broom can clean them out or you can hire a handyman to do it for you.
7. Paint exterior areas that need painting.  Peeling or chipped paint should be taken care of for a fresh well cared for look to your home.
8. Clean or replace door knobs.  The entrance to the home should be perfect from the finish on the door to the door knob and locks.  If they are dated and can’t be cleaned, then they should be replaced.  
9. Keep Garage Door closed.  First impressions are important and even though the garage is an important space, it should not have the door left open at anytime.  You also don’t want people to think they should enter through the garage because it is open.

Interior:

1. Remove all family photos, trophies, personal crafts, etc.  Personal items such as pictures, trophies with names, home made crafts, etc. often keep people from being able to visualize the home for themselves and distract from other features of  the home.
2. Remove all “clutter” (ie: newspapers, boxes, etc.,) it will make your home feel bigger.  Make sure the counters in baths and the kitchen are clutter free and papers either put away or in the trash.  Dishes should always be done and put away, not left in the sink.
3. Clean all your carpets.  If the carpet needs to be replaced, do so and make sure it is a neutral color.  If it does not need replacing, have it cleaned or do it yourself by renting a carpet cleaning machine.
4. Repair or paint any chipped or dirty walls.  Remember to choose neutral colors when painting your wall’s, not everyone like the bold colors or blue or red tones.  If all that is needed is to wash the walls, do the entire wall, not just spots.
5. Make doors and windows open correctly and easily.  Just use a little A-1 oil where needed so that everything opens’s and closes easily.
6. Repair and minor damages. (ie: plaster, wallpaper, creaking floor boards, etc.)  If you have wall-paper and the seams are opening up, a small tube of wall paper paste can be purchased at K-Mart or a wall paper store.  Creaking floor boards need to be repaired.  You may need to hire a flooring person to lift up the flooring to repair the boards if you don’t want to attempt it yourself.  Plaster repairs also may need the attention of an expert.
7. Add some indoor plants.  Plants add a warm feeling to a home.  Green and flowering plants both work well.

Additional Tips if you are going to have an “OPEN HOUSE”:

1. If possible, keep all pets out of the house.  Pet’s need to either be out of the home or in a crate when the home is shown or an Open House is planned.  Even the best Pet can have an off day and bite someone, and many buyers may be afraid of curtain pets.
2. Add some fresh flowers in a vase.  Colorful fresh flowers add warmth to a room.
3. Make all the rooms in your house smell good.  If you don’t like to bake fresh cookies, just add a cinnamon stick to water and put it in the oven on low for a nice smell or a scented candle always adds a nice aroma.
4. Clean and clear all table tops, desks, shelves, etc.  Clutter takes away from the features of the home.
5. Create as much light as possible.  Open all blinds and curtains.  The brighter the home the better.  Windows need to be clean, blinds and curtains open, and lights on when needed.
6. Add fresh towels to the bathrooms.  New fresh towels and even small soaps in a soap dish add a lot to the bathrooms.
7. Turn off all TV’s computers, etc.  During showings and Open houses,  TV’s and computers should be off.  They tend to take away the attention of the buyer.
8. Add a little music softly in the background.  Soft music can add relaxation to the buyers mood as they go through the home.
9. Never hold an Open House alone.  You are allowing strangers into your home and it is better to have another person with you.  This person should be another adult, not a child.   Also have a cell phone with you at all times if possible and an auto dial button for 911.  When showing the home, always have the buyer enter the room ahead of you so that the exit is never blocked.  If there is a basement in the home, have the lights on and have the buyer go ahead of you, again always leaving the exit open for you if needed.  Open house’s can be on any day, not just week-ends, but should always be during the day, with hours that end before dark.