May 13 2009
Getting Your Home Ready for the Market
By Marilyn Newman
Prudential Realty-Vallarta
As a seller, your No. 1 goal is to sell your property as quickly as possible at or near the listing price. In today’s market, where there is much more competition for buyers, it is important to put your best foot, or in this case, home forward because first impressions are vital.
Many of today’s prospective buyers are looking for properties that don’t require a lot of work. Therefore, a property in move-in condition is much more attractive. Before placing it on the market, you may want to invest in making needed repairs.
To get started, make an inspection inside and out. Take inventory of practical and aesthetic repairs. You may want to apply a fresh coat of paint on the walls, doors and cabinetry. Tighten and polish hardware. Repair cracks in walls. Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms. Repair dripping faucets and drains or plumbing fixtures that aren’t operating. These are just a few of the details buyers will notice and could make the difference in making an offer.
Some experts also recommend hiring a home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate the property. (For a list of inspectors in your area, ask your real estate professional for recommendations.) A standard report will review the condition of the home’s air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors. If there are recommendations for improvement, consult with your real estate professional in prioritizing the list of repairs.
Depending on your goals and budget, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to the property, such as a leak. In addition, your local market conditions may dictate how extensive your repairs need to be. Let your budget and your real estate professional guide you.
However, be careful about major repairs. Sellers rarely recoup money on major remodeling projects, and you may want to save funds for your new home.
A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make small repairs can go a long way in making sure that your property is presented to potential buyers in its best possible light. They also just might make the sale.
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Marilyn Newman is a real estate consultant with Prudential California Realty-Vallarta Division. She can be reached by e-mail at marilyn.newman@prurealtypv.com
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