Preparing your home

At Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services in the Pittsburgh region, Julie Sasko-Bissell’s goal is not simply to sell your house, but to help you realize the best price obtainable for your property in the shortest period of time.

To help achieve this goal, please follow some simple suggestions in enhancing your homes appearance.

<strong>Quick Suggestions</strong>

• Neutralize

• De-clutter

• De-Personalize

• Remove/Replace favorite & personal items

• Clean your house

• Organize

<strong>The First Impression</strong>

Buyers often developed an impression as soon as they walk in a home. Focus on the model home effect. Many of you in Allegheny and Washington County have seen a ton of builder models. The best way to make a buyer “feel at home” is to create an environment similar to that found in a model home.

• The environment is neutral

• The colors and interior decorating accent the home’s features

• The smell is new and clean

• The sound is either quiet or enhanced by subtle background music

• All details are looked after, from manicuring the lawn to a floral arrangement in the entry.

Exterior: Your property’s landscape is not limited to the lawn and shrubs but encompasses everything from the street to your doorstep. The real estate industry refers to this as “curb appeal”.
Make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter and debris. If necessary, give it a fresh sweep.
Sweep your sidewalk if needed and remove weeds that may be growing between cracks.
A freshly stained or painted fence gives your home a crisp look. You should never let a peeling, tired looking fence or a squeaky gate stand between a prospective buyer and a positive first impression.
A quick painting of an old mailbox will let the buyer know you care about the details. If outdoor lamps look rusted and worn out, new ones will cast a positive light on your property.
The walkway should be clear to your house and free of weeds. If there are any bad cracks, you should consider having them repaired not only for appearance but for safety issues as many potential buyers will be visiting your home. The same recommendations go for the driveway along with having it resealed if needed.
A fresh coat of paint can be one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your property. If you do not want to paint the entire house consider painting the shutters or the trim.
If you have vinyl or aluminum siding, have a cleaning service wash or repaint if using a product designed for these materials.
The entry is the focal point of your house. Make sure your front door is clean and free of cobwebs and leaves. Repaint the door if necessary. Make sure the lock is easy to open. There is nothing worse than showing a home whose front lock won’t budge. Gives a bad first impression. Make sure all light fixtures are working. Replace house numbers and apply new door hardware if needed.

Replace any cracked or broken glass. Make sure the windows are sparkling clean. Apply touch up paint where needed.

Replace any broken or missing shingles or tiles. Repair flashing where needed. Paint eaves and fascia boards. If the roof is old and needs to be replaced, consider having the work done before showing the property.

Neat and trim-looking gutters and downspouts make a house look shipshape. Consider replacing highly visible ones if they are in need of serious repair. If run off areas are eroded, you can install concrete (or other) “spillways.”

Interior:  When considering a home to purchase, the buyer often visualizes what it would be like living there. If the home is dominated by strong personal statements, buyers are less likely to feel comfortable, and therefore less able to see the property as their own.

Personal statements are reflected in many areas:

• Unusual wall colors or heavily patterned wallpaper

• Heavy odors from pets, tobacco or cooking

• Sounds of loud music or television

• Strong political or religious statements

• Unusual are or furnishings.

Repaint the entry using light, neutral colors. Spruce up wood floors and tile or linoleum flooring should shine A new hall light fixture can make a great impression Make sure the entry is well lit.
The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the house. It can have a major impact on the value of your property.

Make sure the room is virtually spotless and smells fresh. Try putting a quarter section of a lemon in the disposal and grinding it up. Organize the interior of your cabinets to show how much room you have.

Consider replacing outdated light fixtures. Appliances are the next big buzz word. Not everyone needs or wants stainless steel. However, if you appliance are dated by colors like harvest gold or avocado consider having them refinished or replacing. If appliances are all a different color consider having them matched or updating. Spruce up the kitchen cabinet with new knobs or hardware.

Remove anything you have on the countertops to showcase the counter space and create an uncluttered look.

The bathroom has become an important selling feature in today’s home. Make sure the area is clean and smells fresh. Place all personal care products out of site. Make sure bathroom accessories and hardware is up to date. The bathtub tile and grout should be sparkling and free of any stains, mold or mildew. Maybe jazz up the bathroom with some new towels and shower curtain.
These areas should be clean and clutter free. If you have a fireplace, make sure that it is clean from previous use. The carpets should be spot free from stains and free of odor from pets and spills. These areas need to be immaculate and showcase the true size of the room. Organize any closets to increase the space and consider packing some items that you might not need. Remember you will be moving soon.
These areas are often used as extra living space or as storage. It is great to have the storage but can also create a false perception that the house is small and you can only fit 1 car into a 2 car garage. Consider renting a storage unit for all of your extra items.

Make sure these spaces are organized and clean. All lights should be in working order and consider adding a few to darker areas. Eliminate dampness with a dehumidifier.

The garage door should be in working order and free of any objects that could hinder the safety of people viewing your home.

In the End:  The buyer will see your house in a new light and maybe even picture living there. This outcome is exactly what you want. All of these details make big statements about the perceived condition of your property. A house that shows poorly as a result of an overgrown law, peeling paint or simply the smell of mildew, may create the overall feeling that the property has not been cared for. If your house leaves a buyer with this impression, it could cost you valuable time and money.

That is why I am here. I will not only market your home…I will sell your home in the shortest possible time and achieve the highest price obtainable in a given market.

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Disclaimer: All of the information provided here, while considered reliable, is not guaranteed. Buyer is exclusively responsible for verification of any aspect of this purchase that is material to buyer's decision making process. Not intended to solicit currently listed property. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned And Operated By NRT LLC.