Mar. 26, 2007 - Three things to speed the sale of your home

Improve Curb Appeal, Neutralize Colors, Give a Home Warranty

If you are planning to market your home for sale this spring there are three things that should be a must on your list of things to do.

Have your home present a terrific first impression; improve its curb appeal.  This includes the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.  Peeling trim or an odd exterior color could be a kiss of death before your potential buyer gets inside.  Keep your lawn green and cut.  The more it is mowed, the denser it will become. And get on a fertilization program, starting at the beginning of the season.  Borrow some grass from an inconspicuous place elsewhere on the lawn if there are small spots that need to be filled in.  The grasses will match better if they come from the same lawn.

Remove clutter and make a move to more neutral colors for the interior. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, can have an added advantage of making a room appear larger.   Removing a home's clutter is also extremely important in getting potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home.   It goes without saying, but, don’t forget to do some basic spring cleaning: shampoo the carpets, wash all windows, rebuff hardwood floors and oil any wood cabinetry.

Provide a home warranty and pertinent documentation.  This can give extra piece of mind to home buyers knowing such things as heating and plumbing are covered should the buyer run into problems after closing.   An independent study shows that homes listed with a home warranty have a better chance of selling, sell faster and for more money.   And if replacement projects have been done in the past few years, dig out the documentation to prove it,   Explain if any of the improvements have produced a cost savings in terms of energy usage.

Need more ideas?  I would be happy to help.  Feel free to contact me