Maximize Value Before Listing

It is no secret that the decision to buy or sell a home is froth with emotional hurdles. When either selling or buying, the best case scenario is that your income and equity have both increased as your need for additional room, caused either by a growing family or a loved one coming to live with you, has grown. Then the relocation to a larger property can easily be handled, economically at least.

But best case scenarios are just that, best case scenarios. These days changes in employment, health or a relationship is what generally predicates a move. In these instances the decision has to be made quickly and without much prior planning. And since you haven’t been planning to move, the house is nowhere near “move in” condition. But do not despair, here are a half-dozen things that you can do over a couple of week-ends to get your place in shape and maximize the salability of your home.

1. Evaluate the condition, structurally and aesthetically. First impressions are 90% of the battle. Make sure you have a property that is clean, neat, and well-cared. The emotional key you want to his is that the buyers have to be able to envision themselves living there. A filthy house does not help to achieve this. Make all the quick little repairs you have been putting off. Fix the molding, the door stop and the screen door that doesn’t close all the way.

2. Paint! A fresh coat of paints imparts a fresh clean smell to the house and will brighten the room. Everyone wants bright and cheerful when they enter a room. Even a coat of paint on the front door will make an impact. And keep the curtains, blinds and shades open! Light changes everything. Open the windows if the weather allows.

3. Start cleaning out the closets. You’re going to move anyway, right? There’s a lot to do and emptying out the closets is a good place to start. My wife is going to hate me for this, but when we moved to Florida from NJ, I found 24 pillows jammed into an old closet!

4. Many people dislike yard work, but pulling a few weeds and putting a fresh edge on the lawn will work wonders. And keep it mowed. A few brightly colored plants in the flower beds will help with the curb appeal.

5. Keep house! You never know when the Realtor will call with someone that wants another look around before making up their mind. Everyone knows one of the most difficult things about selling a home is keeping it in “showing” condition all the time. So stay on top of the laundry. How many times have I seen a potential buyer get turned off when a pile of dirty laundry (literally, not figuratively) unexpectedly tumbled from the bedroom closet when the client opened the door!

6. Consult with a Realtor. They will be able to give you a non emotional analysis of the market. Don’t forget, the seller (you!) is just as emotionally invested as the buyers. Over priced properties no not sell! We all know how hard it is to accept the new reality as it pertains to the value of our homes. Realtors also have access to the MLS which populates most of the websites that the public can access. And, they have a deeper level of access to information not to mention a boat load of experience that you can draw from.

These few actions will help get the maximum value for your home and also afford you some good nights sleep. Just remember that this can be a very stressful time and that no one is immune to it. Make a to-do list and get some tunnel vision. Just get the next task done. The next thing you know is that you’ll be unpacking in your new home! Happy moving!