It’s that time of year again, the 2018 selling months are here. If you are getting ready to put your home on the market, the steps list to prep for the market may seem endless. So that it will be easy, we’ve compiled a home maintenance list for you of the seven things sellers ought to do before putting that for sale sign in the ground.
7 home maintenance steps sellers have to do just before listing
Spruce up the exterior
Let’s be honest, the exterior of the house is the the very first thing a buyer will see whether online or driving by. It is now time to ensure that it looks its best.
Walk around the entire exterior of the house, and do an assessment.
Consider pressure washing, painting, getting the windows cleaned, cleaning out gutters, trimming back any overgrown or dead landscaping, cleaning the front door and changing out any worn door hardware which might look old and corroded. And be certain the front doorbell really works!
Service the heating/cooling system
A home inspector will check this anyway, so beat ’em to the punch by getting the system serviced and cleaned. Just when was the last time it was serviced anyway?
It’s much easier to take care of any repairs that might need addressing now versus waiting until a buyer decides to make an offer.
Perform a light bulb check
Always make sure every one of the light bulbs are working and free of dirt and debris. Yes, these need cleaning too – just be sure they are off. Don’t forget to look at the outdoor lights too.
Examine the smoke detectors
Maybe you took the batteries out the last time you were playing Top Chef in the kitchen.
It is now time to ensure that all smoke detectors are working and have new batteries. Replace any old ones as an inspector will probably flag those during a home inspection and advise that they be replaced.
Blue tape it
Conduct a thorough walk through of the interior of the house. Should there be any nicks, dents or scratches on the walls and moldings, blue tape them so you can go through and have each area repaired.
The more wear and tear a home appears to have, the more the buyer will almost certainly chip away at the asking price.
Deep clean, and de-clutter
The next step is to give the home that deep clean it needs. Consider finding a cleaning crew to tackle this; the more hands, the better.
Deep cleaning means wiping down every one of the baseboards and moldings and cleaning cabinets, appliances (including the oven) and every corner from top to bottom including light fixtures and ceiling fans.
It’s also a great time to gather all of the unwanted closet items together to donate along with any unused furniture and decor. The less stuff in the house, the less you will find to organize and keep clean.
Clear out the garage
Often overlooked when preparing a home for sale, don’t forget this space. Ensure that the garage is clean, in good repair, organized and that you will be able to walk through it.
Consider painting the floor or having an epoxy finish put down. And that ceiling? Buyers also look up when touring this space, so be sure any drywall cracks or loose seams are repaired.
Buyers recognize and appreciate homes that have been taken care of. Taking some time to devote to home maintenance before selling will almost certainly yield a considerable payoff when it becomes offer time.
Ready to find out the current market value of your home? Nick & Cindy Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group are here to assist you. We are always a just a click here away or call 813-300-7116