Preparing Your Home for Sale
First Impressions Count!
Curb Appeal
You don't want the buyers to say "pass" before they even get out of the car.
- Get your landscaping under control. Weed, rake leaves, trim bushes, mow the lawn
- Sweep the sidewalk and walkway, weed around concrete cracks
- Make sure front of house looks clean, you may need to pressure wash
- Clean your gutters and windows
Front Entrance
This is where you make your first impression
- Paint front door, or replace if badly worn
- Replace any old hardware with new, quality hardware
- Make sure entrance is well lit
- Clean away debris, cobwebs and replace doormat if worn
- Add planters with flowers, a bench, whatever fits the style of home and available space
Interior of Home
- Declutter! Start packing away what you are not using, have a garage sale, donate.
- Pack up nicknacks and personal items. If you have many photos around, pack those up too. You want to 'neutralize' your home so the buyer can see him/herself living there, not you.
- Empty closets of clothing you are not using this season. The less you have in your closets, the larger they will seem to the buyer.
- If you have a lot of extra stuff, consider getting a storage unit.
Clean and Eliminate Odors
- Thoroughly clean. Cleanliness signals to the buyer that you have taken care of your home
- If you have hardwoods, make them shine. If you have carpets, have them cleaned or replace
- Take special care in the kitchen and bath, the areas buyers expect to be sparkling
- Clean your windows inside and out, buyers will notice
- Use light scented cleaners, perhaps citrus scented, to freshen the house. Don't over-scent!
- If you have pets, make sure to vacuum and change litter often
Make Small Fixes
- Fix leaky faucets and cabinets that stick or don't close
- Replace cabinet and drawer knobs if broken or dated
- Replace old or broken switch plates with new white ones
- If you have bold colors on the walls, consider painting the rooms a neutral color
Light up your home
- Update any broken light fixtures and replace burnt-out light bulbs
- Natural Light is best. Eliminate any heavy drapes and replace with sheer
Other Fixes to Consider
- Paint - If the exterior or interior looks dirty or worn, consider painting. Paint is one of the least expensive things you can do to make your home look better.
- Roof - How old is your roof? If it is at the end of its lifespan, consider replacing it, you can then advertise a brand new roof - another thing to set your house apart. If you choose not to replace it, be prepared for it to show up on the buyer's home inspection. You can also make small fixes like replacing missing shingles, installing missing flashing and replacing broken gutters.
- Chimney/Fireplace - If your chimney has a lot of chipped mortar, have a mason repair. In many old houses the chimney cap has to be replaced as well as a cap installed on top to prevent water from coming though into the fireplace
- Heating system - have your furnace serviced and ducts cleaned
- Water Heater - how old is it? Many fail between 7-14 years, buyer may ask to replace if old
- Electrical - Are all your electrical outlets grounded?
- Sewer - the buyer may do a sewer scope to discover any defects in the line
Staging
Use what you have and add pops of color
- Decluttering and opening up living spaces is most important
- Look at design magazines for furniture arrangement and ideas
- Use colorful pillows, vases and flowers for accents
- Use sheer curtains to let natural light in the room
- Enlist some professional help
"So fun working with Susanne! Honestly I could not have been happier as a first time homeowner. Her experience in the Seattle market was invaluable. I ended up referring some friends who also ended up happy homeowners"
Dan A. (Ballard)
Susanne helped us find exactly what we were looking for. For some time, my husband and I could not agree on anything while house hunting. Susanne did a terrific job navigating us through the process, never taking sides, always making terrific points and offering up insightful information. When our dream house came on the market, Susanne made sure we saw it immediately and though there were other offers, we are certain that her professional skills were a big part of why we got the house. She was also very fair in negotiating commission and with her housewarming gift. We felt very lucky to work with such a genuine and professional agent, especially since we'd met a few who we did not get good vibes from. I'd recommend Susanne to anyone!
Sarah O (West Seattle)
We purchased our home three years ago with Susanne's great support. We had no idea on many processes especially about financing, but she was not only very helpful but also made us feel very comfortable on this big purchase. Excellent knowledge and prompt communication. We strongly recommend to anyone and thank you again for finding us our perfect home! Susanne, you are the BEST!
Maya and Casey S. (Kirkland)
"Buying our first house was such a big step financially... even after our offer was accepted there were times when we really doubted whether it was a wise financial decision for us and thought about backing out. Susanne was so calm and reassuring... didn't panic or pressure us, but just talked it through with us gave us our options clearly at every step of the way. That really helped!"
Amity F and John (Queen Anne / Interbay)
As a first time home buyer, I was nervous about the process and didn't know a lot about all the details. Erin and Sus were so supportive that everything felt easy and comfortable though. They took the time to talk through all my questions and filled me in on all the little things to watch out for. I appreciated how candid they were about the benefits and drawbacks of the different homes, offers and situations we encountered - it really helped me make an informed decision. My long term happiness with my choice was clearly their priority.
- Kate Byers (Ballard)
I have never seen two ladies work so hard! In a down market, they sold my house within 3 months. I felt especially comfortable with them being over 2000 miles away while the process was going on. The communication was incredible and everything went very smooth. Susanne and Erin offered sound advice on pricing and market analysis and continually kept me informed the entire way! Susanne and Erin go the extra mile for their clients and anyone should feel extremely comfortable. There are very few TRUE Real Estate Professionals out there these days. If you need a personal reference you may contact me at jr@maplewoodlanesomaha.com
Jeanne Belitz (Queen Anne/Interbay)
I just wanted to take a minute to say THANK YOU for your amazing service. Not only did you get me top-dollar when I sold my condo earlier this year but you somehow managed to pull off the impossible: coordinating selling my partner's old house and us buying our new dream house SIMULTANEOUSLY! You two are a great team and you made everything look easy despite the chaos of these complicated sales. Thanks again.
Dale Wampler (Greenwood and West Seattle)
Your professionalism, friendship and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty have been monumental in finding the right home. I love my place and thanks so much for everything you have done! I'm looking forward to the next time we get to work together...
Margaret (Greenwood)
In the interesting world that is Seattle's real estate market, it is essential to have good agent representation. That's why Susanne and Erin have represented me through my arduous 8-month search for my own home. I had been working with an agent who was a friend of a friend. Unfortunately, that agent was not providing any real services. I was lucky to have called on one of Erin and Susanne's listings. When I met them at the property, I knew immediately that I wanted them as my agents.
After that meeting, they diligently sent me listings--the listings I really wanted to see--and were incredibly responsive. Over the past 8 months, Susanne and Erin have proven themselves to be the kind, professional, responsible, and honest people I took them for. So, as long as I'm in Seattle, I will not buy or sell a property with anyone else.
Aradia (Ravenna)
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