Preparing Your Home to Sell on the Space Coast

Please call me so we can have a staging consultation (no obligation). 970-366-7644. Its always better to see things through someone else's eyes when taking on the task of home selling. This will give you a better idea of how to present your home''s best features. We are basically selling a story and it's not about your home, it's about creating space for the Buyer's New home.  One of the best investments in selling a home is paint. With light neutral colors, it will appear fresher and bigger and people can see their stuff matching it. Plus, your online photos will present better!

Things to consider

* Location and local market conditions: How close is your house to social amenities and highways?
* Curb appeal: Does your house stand out in the neighborhood? Is it pretty to look at?
* Square footage: Is your house big enough for your intended buyers?
* The number of rooms: Be clear about the potential of your property.
* Safety: How is the crime rate in your neighborhood? Does it have well-lit sidewalks?
* Condition of home: Have you made any recent updates? Are the appliances functioning and energy-efficient?
* Mortgage interest rates: If the mortgage rates are high, you may get fewer bids for your house.
* Supply and demand: Like any other market, the real estate market shifts depending on the demand and supply. Considering there are many houses are on the market, you’ll be forced to up your game to beat the competition. But if there are fewer houses on sale, you might even sell above and beyond your asking price. Call me so we can narrow down the possibilities.
* Similarity with houses sold before: What is the average selling price in your neighborhood? If you have current sales reports on how much your neighbor's home went for, this points at how much buyers are willing to pay for properties like you and should offer you some insights on what to expect.
TIMING is also important to consider timelines so that you can get the best offers for your home! We have data and statistics on the best times to sell. Marketing trends have changed drastically which may indicate changes for the pricepoint baseline for selling your home.
 

Ready, Set, SHOW! Here are some things you may be able to prep your home for showings.

Exterior:

1. Make sure your lawn is mowed and edged.  One of the first impressions a buyer will get of your home is from the outside.  Curb appeal is very important.  If you don’t have the time to keep the lawn mowed and edged, now is the time when hiring a service would benefit you.  This way you don’t have to worry about making sure it always is done in time for a buyer to see it or an open house.
2. Trim all the trees and shrubs on your property.  If you can’t reach some of your tree’s or have the equipment to trim the trees and shrubs, we suggest you hire a landscape company to get it in shape for you.  You can also rent the equipment from a rental company if you would prefer to do it yourself.
3. Plant some flowers or display large flower pots.  This is the best way to quickly brighten up your yard and enhance that curb appeal. 
4. Sweep and clean all sidewalks and pathways.  If you are in a climate that has snow and ice, make sure you clean the sidewalks and pathways and also the decks and put down salt so it clears and no one falls.  Make sure no toys, papers, or outside tools are left in the walk-ways.
5. Repair and clean all windows.  Replace any cracked or broken windows and make sure they are clean for a well maintained look.
6. Clean all eaves and drain spouts.  Blocked eaves and drain spouts can lead to damage that will cost more than keeping them clean.  A ladder and either your hand or a small broom can clean them out or you can hire a handyman to do it for you.
7. Pressure wash house and paint exterior areas that need painting for a fresh well cared for look to your home.
8. Clean or replace door knobs.  The entrance to the home should be perfect from the finish on the door to the door knob and locks.  If they are dated and can’t be cleaned, then they should be replaced.  Does the doorbell work? If not, fix it. If the doorbell does not work, buyers will be imagining all the other things that may not work.
9. Keep Garage Door closed.  First impressions are important and even though the garage is an important space, it should not have the door left open at anytime.  You also don’t want people to think they should enter through the garage because it is open.

Interior:

1. Depersonalise: Remove all family photos, trophies, personal crafts, etc. Remove any distractions that often keep people from being able to visualize the home for themselves and and may miss features of  the home. Lock up all valuables (preferablly at trusteed family or friends house) and prescriptions medicines.
2. Remove all “clutter” (ie: newspapers, boxes, etc.,) it will make your home feel bigger.  Make sure the counters in baths and the kitchen are clutter free and papers either put away or in the trash.  Dishes should always be done and put away, not left in the sink.
3. Clean all your carpets.  If the carpet needs to be replaced, do so and make sure it is a neutral color.  If it does not need replacing, have it cleaned or do it yourself by renting a carpet cleaning machine.
4. Repair or paint any chipped or dirty walls.  Remember to choose neutral colors when painting your wall’s, not everyone like the bold colors or blue or red tones.  If all that is needed is to wash the walls, do the entire wall, not just spots.
5. Make doors and windows open correctly and easily.  Just use a little A-1 oil where needed so that everything opens’s and closes easily.
6. Repair and minor damages. (ie: plaster, wallpaper, creaking floor boards, etc.)  If you have wall-paper and the seams are opening up, a small tube of wall paper paste can be purchased at K-Mart or a wall paper store.  Creaking floor boards need to be repaired.  You may need to hire a flooring person to lift up the flooring to repair the boards if you don’t want to attempt it yourself.  Plaster repairs also may need the attention of an expert.
7. Add some indoor plants.  Plants add a warm feeling to a home.  Green and flowering plants both work well.

Additional Tips if you are going to have an “OPEN HOUSE”:

1. If possible, keep all pets out of the house.  Pet’s need to either be out of the home or in a crate when the home is shown or an Open House is planned.  Even the best Pet can have an off day and bite someone, and many buyers may be afraid of curtain pets.
2. Add some fresh flowers in a vase.  Colorful fresh flowers add warmth to a room.
3. Make all the rooms in your house smell good.  If you don’t like to bake fresh cookies, just add a cinnamon stick to water and put it in the oven on low for a nice smell or a scented candle always adds a nice aroma.
4. Clean and clear all table tops, desks, shelves, etc.  Clutter takes away from the features of the home. Remove as much items as possible so that the buyer can see how much space they have to work with.
5. Create as much light as possible.  Open all blinds and curtains.  The brighter the home the better.  Windows need to be clean, blinds and curtains open, and lights on when needed.
6. Add fresh towels to the bathrooms.  New fresh towels and even small soaps in a soap dish add a lot to the bathrooms.
7. Turn off all TV’s computers, etc.  During showings and Open houses,  TV’s and computers should be off.  They tend to take away the attention of the buyer.
8. Add a little music softly in the background.  Soft music can add relaxation to the buyers mood as they go through the home.
9. Do not hold an Open House alone.  It is best to have your agent show your home to give the buyers some privacy to see and visualize living there. Should you decide to hold one without an agent, here are a few safety reminders: You are allowing strangers into your home and it is better to have another person with you.  This person should be another adult, not a child.   Also have a cell phone with you at all times if possible and an auto dial button for 911.  When showing the home, always have the buyer enter the room ahead of you so that the exit is never blocked.  If there is a basement in the home, have the lights on and have the buyer go ahead of you, again always leaving the exit open for you if needed.  Open house’s can be on any day, not just week-ends, but should always be during the day, with hours that end before dark.

Need Staging Advice? Contact me from anywhere for no obligation consultation.

Have you found a REALTOR for where you are going? I can help you find a good agent.

Shannon Katz, REALTOR  970-366-7644.

Century 21 Circle, Indialantic, FL.

Please check out my Listing Presentation HERE!

I'm Shannon, Realtor from the Space Coast & I help home owners sell their homes on the Space Coast of Florida. My job is to facilitate a smooth transaction between the seller to the new home buyer. I offer home sellers staging advice and consultation.  I represent my clients on the east coast of Florida, serving locations: Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral & Melbourne.

 

Disclaimer: Realtor, Shannon Katz does not claim responsibility for any inaccuracies contained within this website: www.shannonkatzrealtor.com. Content is intended as a guide for the Space Coast real estate market. The market is always changing, and the rules and rates will continue to change as well. Website: www.shannonkatzarealtor.com  does not take responsibility for information contained on third-party website links.  Website  www.shannonkatzrealtor.com reserves the right to remove any comment deemed offensive, and is not liable for any opinion shared.