Getting your home ready to sell

Suggestions for sprucing up the homestead before nailing down the sign
By: Paul Bianchina: Inman News
So you've decided it's time to sell your existing home, and you're getting ready to put it on the market just in time for the nicer weather to hit. Before the "for sale" sign hits the front yard, have you taken the time to really look the old place over?

Remember that you live there and you're used to overlooking those little problems and idiosyncrasies that many homes have, so be sure and look at your home from the perspective of a potential buyer. Get those little repairs out of the way now, and showcase the pride you have taken in your home.

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

First impressions begin when the buyers pull up out in front, and you want things to look their best before anyone even gets out of the car. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

    • Repair walkways and driveways: Fix cracks in bricks, concrete, and asphalt.
      Use a commercial cleaner to remove stains from concrete driveways – and from
      the floor of the garage while you're at it.  Consider an application of
      asphalt sealer over asphalt driveways.  Remove weeds and debris, and edge the
      lawn where needed.  Make sure that any steps are safe and clean, and that
      handrails are in place, solid, and in good repair.

    • Spruce up the paint job: Scrape and repaint any areas of siding where the
      paint is peeling.  Re-caulk windows and doors, and consider a complete fresh
      coat of paint on exterior trim and doors. If the house is badly in need of a
      complete repainting, give some serious thought to making the investment. Some
      people opt to offer a discount to the buyer to cover the paint job, but bad
      exterior paint makes a terrible impression, and may lead some people to
      question other aspects of the home's maintenance and overall quality.

    • Fix the roof: Replace missing shingles, and repair any loose or missing
      flashings or vent screens.  Repair or replace damaged or missing gutters and
      downspouts. If the old roof has deteriorated beyond repair, consider replacing
      it, bearing in mind the same rationale as repainting.

    • Fix windows and doors: Replace missing or damaged window screens and screen
      doors. Check the operation of each door and door lock to ensure nothing sticks
      or hangs up. Pay particular attention to the front door, front sidelights, and
      any screen or storm door on the front.

INSIDE THE HOUSE

Once you've got them through the front door with that wonderful curb appeal you've created, wow them with how beautiful and well maintained the interior is as well.

    • Check and repair all flooring: Starting with the entry, check all the flooring
      in the house. Repair any loose seams in vinyl or carpet. Replace missing or
      cracked grout in tile floors. Make sure that any transition pieces between two
      different flooring types are in place and solidly attached. Check the
      condition of baseboards, and reattach and repaint or stain them as needed.
      Have carpets professionally cleaned, and have the cleaners pay particular
      attention to any stains.

    • Check door and window operation:  Check each and every door and window in the
      house. Make sure every window operates and latches correctly, that tracks are
      cleaned and vacuumed out, that frames are tight and freshly painted, and that
      the glass is clean and in good repair. Check that all doors operate without
      dragging or scraping the jambs, and that doorknobs and locks work correctly.

    • Spruce up the paint job:  As with the exterior, good interior painting shows
      good maintenance and pride of ownership. Fix any holes or cracks in drywall,
      and touch up the paint. If your walls have not been painted in a while and the
      touchup paint is now a different color, repaint the entire wall rather than
      leaving spots behind that have obviously been touched up.

    • Check the plumbing:  Examine every plumbing fixture in the house, including
      the water heater. Make sure there are no leaks anywhere, including annoying
      drips in faucets. Make sure that toilets flush properly, and also shut off
      properly. Repair or replace caulking around tubs, showers, and toilets as
      needed. Make sure every drain is flowing freely, and consider having the drain
      system professionally snaked if necessary. If your septic system is due to be
      pumped and serviced, do it now rather than risk an untimely backup.

    • Check light bulbs: It's a minor thing, but check each and every light fixture –
      including table lamps that are controlled by a wall switch – to make sure that
      every bulb works.

Remodeling and repair questions? E-mail Paul at paul2887@direcway.com.