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Colorado Springs Real Estate
Get
the House Ready to Sell
Below are some tips from
our experience in dealing with buyers and sellers in Colorado
Springs.
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house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster
than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well-maintained. |
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experience, REALTORS® also know that a "well-polished" house
appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price.
Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared
for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they
can't see has probably also been maintained. In readying your house
for sale, consider: |
- How
much should you spend? - In
preparing your home for the market, spend as little money
as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof,
but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to
pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor
and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to
your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh
coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive
and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Your
REALTOR®, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your
neighborhood, can advise you specifically on what improvements
need to be made. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.
- Exterior
and curb appeal - Maximizing
exterior and curb appeal. Before putting your house on the
market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money
as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal.
Tips to enhance your home’s exterior and curb appeal:
- Keep
the lawn edged, cut and watered
regularly.
- Trim hedges, weed lawns and
flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.
- Check the foundation, steps,
walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
- Inspect doors and windows for
peeling paint.
- Clean and align gutters.
- Inspect and clean the chimney.
- Repair and replace loose or
damaged roof shingles.
- Repair and repaint loose siding
and caulking.
- In Northern winters, keep walks
neatly cleared of snow and ice.
- During spring and summer months
consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near
your front entrance.
- Re-seal an asphalt driveway.
- Keep your garage door
closed.
- Store RVs or old and beaten
up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
- Apply a fresh coat of
paint to the front door.
- Preparing
the interior - Enhance
your home’s interior by:
- Giving every
room in the house a thorough cleaning,
as well as removing all clutter. This
alone will make your house appear bigger
and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded
rooms have actually rented storage garages
and moved half their furniture out, creating
a sleeker, more spacious look.
- Hiring a
professional cleaning service, once every
few weeks while the house is on the market.
This may be a good investment for owners
who are busy elsewhere.
- Removing
the less frequently used, even daily
used items from kitchen counters, closets,
and attics, making these areas much more
inviting. Since you're anticipating a
move anyhow, holding a garage sale at
this point is a great idea.
- If necessary,
repainting dingy, soiled or strongly
colored walls with a neutral shade of
paint, such as off-white or beige. The
same neutral scheme can be applied to
carpets and linoleum.
- Checking
for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness
in the attic and basement. Repairing
cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard,
wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
- Replacing
broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings,
and other woodwork.
- Inspecting
and repairing the plumbing, heating ,
cooling, and alarm systems.
- Repairing
dripping faucets and showerheads.
- Buying showy
new towels for the bathroom, to be brought
out only when prospective buyers are
on the way.
- Sprucing
up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling
by investing in new cabinet knobs, new
curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
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