When You Are Ready To Sell Your Home

Selling your home is usually an emotional roll-a-coaster. While we tend to get excited about the move or the new home, we also cling to the memories contained within our "Home".

If you and your family have been in your current home for any length of time there will be a lot of "history" and emotional attachments.

Once the decision to sell is made, it is time to look forward and move on.

Determine a Price... A Realtor can give you a computerized CMA (Competitive Market Analysis). The CMA will give the comparable houses to your size and location that have recently sold.

Keep your home picked up... We all live in our homes and with busy schedules it is impossible to make our homes look like "Models" on a daily basis. I like to give my sellers as much notice about a showing as possible, but sometimes a showing is necessary with little or no notice. We can however, meet with everyone in the home and ask them to do the following;

• Make your beds daily.

• Place all dirty laundry in a hamper (not on the floor)

• Do dishes after every meal and snack.

• Keep the bathrooms picked up.

Remove Clutter... We all have a certain amount of clutter in our homes. Most of us don't even notice the clutter on our shelves, in our basements or garages. The longer we have been there, the more clutter in most cases. What we are trying to achieve is to open up areas and make then took more spacious and appealing.

• The first step to remove clutter is to sell, giveaway or dispose of things we no longer use. An example would be that exercise bike or treadmill in the bedroom that we have used to hang our clothes on for the last couple of years. Items that we intend to keep that are not frequently used can be boxed up and neatly stored in a staging place such as a garage our storage shed.

• Step back and try to look at each room as though you are seeing it for the first time. Just as a potential buyer would.

• The kitchen is one of the most important rooms. If the countertop, pantry, drawers and cabinets are full to over flowing, a potential buyer won't be able to visualize their things in place and it gives the feeling of "lack of space". Remove everything from your kitchen countertop. Yes this means the "George Forman Grill" and toaster! Box up that second set of china, silver, extra utensils and anything else that you don't absolutely need access to. Now go under the sink (you know where we are going with this) and empty the cabinet.

• Bathrooms, closets, basements, attics and garages are other places to look for and remove clutter.

Odors... When living in a home, we often become accustomed to the odors associated with it and don't even notice them. Even though we don't notice them buyers will, and it can kill a sale.

• Pet and cooking odors can be offensive to some.

•  Clean any pet areas thoroughly and use deodorizers.

• Vent while cooking and use an air freshener after each meal.

• Clean carpets, drapes and furniture.

• An odor neutralizer such as Febreez can be used frequently on furniture and drapes.

• Try and use odor neutralizing products instead of air fresheners. If you use an air freshener, choose something light. A fragrance that may be appealing to you, could be a turn of to a potential buyer.

Repairs... Make all necessary repairs that are economically feasible. Check all items below.

• Plumbing. Remember what you looked for when you bought the home? Leaking faucets, flushing toilets etc.?

• Heating and Cooling units. Make sure they are in god working order.

• Floor covering or carpeting. Are they in good shape? Do they need replacement? If you do opt for replacement, stay with neutral colors and the same carpet or throughout the entire home.

• Doors. Check all entry, closet and cabinet doors. Make sure the open and close properly. If they squeak, oil them or lightly spay a lubricant on them.

• Windows. Make sure your windows open and close easily. If not try lubricant here too.

• Roof. Are there or have there been any leaks. If there are any leaks, get them repaired. A leaking roof can cause a considerable amount of damage. It is always preferable to have a professional complete these repairs. Although you must disclose the history of a leaking roof to a potential buyer, the receipt from a professional roofer outlining their repairs and charges will give a buyer more confidence than if you completed the repairs yourself.

Exterior... Remember that old saying "You only have one chance at first impressions"? Walk across the street and look at your home. What catches your eye? A potential buyers first impression of your home will be from a car on the street. What the buyer thinks about your home from this view  is known as "Curb Appeal".

• Is the lawn cut, hedges trimmed? Are there any brown spots that need to be reseeded, watered or fertilized?

• Is the landscaping comparable to other homes in the neighborhood? An area for mature flowers could add an inexpensive splash of color and give a more pleasing view to your home.

• Are there any trees with low hanging limbs? If so, trim them so you can easily walk under them without bending over. This makes for a better visual presentation of your home, and much easier to maintain the grass under your trees.

• Is it time to paint? Although this may be a major undertaking, a fresh coal of paint could give your home the necessary face lift to get it sold. If so choose neutral colors with matching trim.

• Vinyl Siding may require washing. Dirt and mildew accumulate on exterior vinyl siding here in the Ozarks. Cleaning is relatively easy. Commercial cleaners are available, but a mixture of water, Dawn dishwashing detergent and laundry bleach do a good job too.

• Is your front and back yard free of debris and clutter? Park all bikes in one area. If you don't have a toy box for outside, get one. Ask your children to put all toys away after they are finished playing with them.

After completing the suggestions above, invite your REALTOR to do a "Walk-Through" of you your home for a fresh perspective and possible suggestions on how to get the maximum dollar for home in a timely fashion.

-Rhonda McMillan