First Steps Toward A Sale

Preparing the Interior

• Start at the top and work your way down. Climb into your attic and check the underside of the roof for leaks or telltale stains. Inspect around the chimney for signs of water or bent flashing. Check the vents for dirt and leaves. And last but not least, clean it out. Get rid of stored junk.
• Back in the main part of the house, inspect the condition of paint and wallpaper. Repair any cracks or holes in the wallboard or plaster. Have any loose or creaking floor boards or staircase steps? Is the handrail in good shape and the stiles tight?
• In the bathroom, check the condition of the tile and the grout. This is where a real power cleaning improves appearance. Make sure all the faucets and drains are working properly. Remove tarnish and mildew.Make sure the toilet is in proper working order. Sometimes when we use things daily we become accustomed to the quirks our plumbing or other fixtures have. Try examining everything with a critical eye.
• The kitchen is another power scrub area. Even if the appliances don't go with the house, it's best that everything looks sparkling. Don't forget to clean the hood vent over the stove. Make sure the cabinets are in tip top condition. Oil all hinges and while you have that oil can in your hand go thru the entire house and check for squeaking hinges.
• Have a basement? Go down and check for leaky pipes. Here's a good place to inspect the structure beams. Do the walls show dampness? Is the floor solid? Again, if there is lots of clutter, clean it up and toss it out. You might even consider renting a temporary storage unit and move any excess items to it.
• Check your electrical system and make sure your breaker box id properly labeled. Any exposed wiring in the attic and basement needs to be checked for cracking or fraying. Make sure all your switches and plugs work.
• Is your Ac/heat system in proper working order? Inspect the outside unit and make sure that plants and grass are trimmed away. Inspect the filters and replace if neccessary. Check coils for dirt buildup. Make sure that the AC water drainage is correct.

Preparing the outside of your home for sale.

Nothing is more important than curb appeal. A potential buyer gets their first impression as they pull in front of the house.

• Again, we start at the top. Does the roof look in good shape? Is the flashing straight? Clean the gutters and check for straightness and alignment.
• Take a good look at the trim and shutters. Need a coat of paint? Everything snug and secure? Are the screens in good shape? Any cracks in your windows? Caulking look good?
• Prune up all your trees and shrubs. Mow and fertilize to give the lawn a healthy vibrant look. Consider plantings of ornamentals and flowers for color. Now don't get carried away with personalization. I am thinking yard ornaments and jockeys and flamingos. Let the potential buyer picture the landscape the way they might want it.
• Make sure all the kids toys and bicycles are picked up and put away. If there are bare patches in that lawn you may want to consider sodding or seeding those areas.

All of these steps can mean a higher sales price and less time up for sale. There could be thousands of dollars or even weeks of time on the market. Take care of it now to avoid repair contingencies in the offer. To get a professional eye, call me. I will be happy to look over your home and property and give some helpful suggestions on ways to improve your homes curb appeal and interior spiffing up.

Rick Lockwood