Make your home ready for the competition
Last week you learned a few competitive tricks to pretty up your home, make it feel more spacious and set it apart from the competition. This week we need to get down to the nitty gritty and pick apart the things that a potential buyer is looking at on the second visit and more importantly what their home inspector is looking for when that day happens.
So what are all buyers looking for is, "It's the kitchen stupid." Everyone wants a clean, fresh kitchen with appliances in not only working order, but equally clean and fresh. If you don't have the funds or the time to completely renovate the kitchen, there are a few things you can do for a lot less money. If your appliances are older and certainly if they're not in working order, make the investment in new ones. If your choice is between high end white appliances or low end stainless go for the low end stainless. The look is much better, and at least it will all be new and working. Be realistic about the condition of the kitchen cabinets. If simply cleaning isn't going to be enough consider resurfacing or new doors or some nice high gloss paint.
Next on the hit list are bathrooms, and this is where bleach is going to be your best friend. A mixture of half water and half bleach in a spray bottle will get rid of most normal bathroom mold issues. You also have the option of new grout which is always a good idea. There are companies that can repaint tiles and/or do total inserts over tubs and walls creating a brand new look for a relatively small investment. Grimy glass shower doors can be cleaned with one-part muriatic acid and 10 parts water. Scrub with steel wool, and you're good to go.
Interior walls, especially in bathrooms and kitchens that may not have had a coat of paint in years, should be at the top of your paint list. Then maybe the kids' rooms after you have convinced them to take down the posters and sparkle. If you are thinking that maybe the family room and living room need some paint, then it probably does. Paint is cheap and will be the best money you ever spent. Painting also gives you the opportunity to repair any damage or picture holes in the walls, which you may not have noticed, but your buyers certainly will.
Give your air conditioning a tune up and check your home for signs of termites, roots growing around foundations and patios and plumbing and drainage issues. Remember once you get past the buyer, you have to face their home inspector.
Outside check all of the trim and soffits for rotted wood and peeling paint, trim back bushes and keep the lawn mowed. Power wash patios and decks verifying the decking material doesn't have any soft spots, and get up on the roof to look around before the home inspector does.
Finally, clean the windows, and let the view pour through and the sun shine in. You should also consider painting your front door a jazzy coordinating color – always a nice touch.
Getting potential buyers to look at your home the first time is easy, but getting them to come back a second time is when the stress level is really elevated. If you start now, there is still plenty of time before the serious selling season kicks in. Do what you have to do to make buyers feel they're standing in a well-loved and well maintained home. Let the games begin!