Ten Tips for Selling Your Home

It seems it’s “tips” week here at CG and today we’re talking about some general suggestions for selling your home.  When I say “we” I mean I’ve invited my mister to share some tips with you since he’s the guy with all the knowledge on this subject – he’s a real estate appraiser and broker (yep both!) with over 25 years experience.  I asked him to contribute some of his knowledge so he was kind enough to write up this article for you today.

And after three years, it’s time I stop referring to him as just “mister” so allow me to introduce my husband to you by his actual name – it’s Matthew, or Matt as most people call him.  There I feel much better now that you finally know his name too!  Matt’s taking the helm here to share his ten best suggestions for selling your home quickly and achieving top dollar at the same time.  Here he is:

“Kate asked me to share some of my suggestions for maximizing the value of your home when you decide to put it on the market (and she’s going to add some pictures to illustrate too.)  First know that these recommendations depend on a variety of factors such as price range, time of year, region, and location, and this list is by no means all inclusive.

For first timers, the process of selling a home can be stressful, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the anxiety of the sale and secure the best sales price too. Most people buy the home they feel the most emotionally connected with – the one they can envision living in. Your goal as the seller is to give that feeling to the best of your ability to any potential buyer that comes through your door.

Ten Tips for Selling Your Home

1. First Impressions Matter.  The exterior of your home gives potential buyers the first impression and you want it to be looking its very best.  Start by power washing your home to get rid of any cobwebs, dirt, or grime. Rid your driveway of any oil stains and move any old cars off the property. Focus attention on an attractive and inviting entry with a new welcome mat, potted plants, and flowers. If your front porch light is old and/or broken spend $30 and give it a facelift with a new fixture. Spruce up the landscaping, mow the grass, prune the trees and shrubs, and replace or replant where needed.

2. Inspect the Exterior and Make Obvious Repairs.  Repair any peeling exterior paint or damaged siding, especially in the front of the home.  Make sure the front door hinges and hardware work perfectly, and the doorbell too since one of the worst first impressions is a non-working doorbell.  If for some reason you can’t get it to work, place a note over the doorbell that reads “Please Knock”.  Sliders and doors all need to be oiled and working smoothly including the sliding screen doors too.  You want that smooth transition from room to room and from indoor to outdoor living.

To read the rest, click here.

Beautiful Landscaping Project for El Paso Homeowners

Mediterranean Landscape by Phoenix Landscape Architect Exteriors By Chad Robert

Home Staging: It Makes a Difference

Staging your home really can make a sale.  When people visit your home, they want to see a home that is in good shape and they want to be able to imagine themselves living in it.  When the house is cluttered, in disarray or if it's a vacant house, the last thing they want to see is garbage lying around or unwanted left overs.  Staging a home really can go a long way.  Look at the pictures above and see how amazing they look before and after.

Just remember, it doesn't mean you have to go out and spend thousands of dollars in renovations rather simple things like clearing out clutter and organizing can go a long way.

Looking to buy or sell in El Paso?  Check out SearchElPasoHomes.com.

Home Seller Check List to Prepare Your Home

Here are a few basic "to-do" items to get you home ready before putting it on the market. This will also help get top dollar for your home without any extra expense

EXTERIOR

• Touch up all chipped paint, stained areas, etc.
• Do general lawn maintenance, make sure the grass is cut and if needed, add seed and water to your lawn so potential buyers see a green lawn.
• Trim back all overgrown shrubbery
• In summer time, add a few flowers to give the home more curb appeal
• Replace any missing shutters, gutters, and downspouts.
• Clean up any clutter from you yard, children’s toys, hoses, sports equipment, etc.
• Make sure you have no visible roof damage.
• Fix any large cracks in the driveway and walkways. No need to resurface everything, just pick up some basic repair tools at you local home repair store
• Fences and railings should be clean and in good shape. Repaint only if necessary
• Clean all windows

INTERIOR

Living Area

• Of course, clean your home thoroughly
• Remove valuable items and put in a safe place
• Touch up all paint on walls, doors and trim. Any cracks should also be repaired
• Have the carpet cleaned to remove any stains or dirt. Also make sure it is vacuumed the day of showing
• Make sure the fireplace is in good shape and reasonable clean
• Check all doors and windows to ensure each work properly; replace any that are missing and fix any squeaks or jams. Also check the handles for anything loose
• Freshen up the home by using deodorizers and freshening sprays.
  NOTE: do not overdue this, some people are bothered by certain smells, while others are may think your trying to cover up a larger problem. Use sparingly and a couple of hours before a showing, if possible.
• Clean as much out of the closets as possible to make them appear larger.
  If you have any extremely bright or odd color choice, considering repainting those rooms and light neutral.

Kitchen

• This room is very important, clean all surfaces and organize all your appliances.
• Like the closets, make as much room in the cabinets as possible so there
  looks like there is more than enough room for the buyer’s kitchenware
• Remove everything for the sink; dirty dishes, rags, sponges etc.
• Inspect the floor for any damage and fix accordingly
• Remove as much off the counters as possible, buyers want a kitchen with a lot of counter space. Do keep a few accessories to make it look nice though.

Bathroom

• After the kitchen, the bathroom is the second most important; clean the shower, sink and toilet. Remove any stains
• Check caulking and replace if needed
• Inspect faucets for leaks and drains for clogs
• Make sure mirrors are spotless
• Remove any personal care items along with dirty towels

Basement, Attic & Garage

• Straighten up the clutter
• Make sure stairways and entryways are well lit
• Repair poor flooring or walls
• Keep items against the wall to give it an uncluttered feel and make it look bigger

To look at available homes or to sell your home in the El Paso, Texas area, click on searchelpasohomes.