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Preparing your Home for the Sale

Many home buyers will peruse neighborhoods looking at listed properties from outside the home before inquiring with their real estate agent to set up an appointment to show them the inside. Keep in mind that most Buyers appreciate a clean look in the homes they are viewing. Within 15 seconds, a Buyer has quickly developed an opinion of your property at first glance. A first impression is hard to shake and if the prospective Buyer doesn't like the looks of the house from the outside, they probably won't inquire at all. You'll never get a second chance to make that first impression. In order to get prospective home Buyers past your front door, you need to add some curb appeal.

Prospects would rather see how great your home really looks, than hear how great it could look, "with a little work". So, allow me to assist you in showing your house off to its fullest potential. Here's a list of items that will definitely add value to your home...

OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE

A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch will welcome prospects. If it's Autumn rake the leaves. If it's winter, shovel the walkways with a nice neat edging. The fewer obstacles between the prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.

Scrape and paint all those wood surfaces that are worn, peeling or cracking. Dress up your front door with a fresh coat of paint and add a seasonal wreath. Remember...Curb appeal is crucial.

Clear your gutters and downspouts of debris (leaves, sticks, pine needles, etc.) that may block the flow of water from your roof to the ground area.

Properly grade the area under your downspouts and around your house, so rainwater flows away from your foundation and basement area. Installing five or six foot downspout extensions will ensure that the rainwater (from the roof) flows away from the foundation/basement area to prevent any seepage.

Plantings and bark mulch should be set away from the foundation to ensure regular watering does not add to soil moisture around the basement. Lawn sprinklers should not hit the house or the area next to the foundation.

Ensure that the grading around the foundation starts at 8 inches down from the top of your foundation wall or siding and slopes away from the home approximately 5 to 6 feet away. Failure add sloped grading may cause moisture to build up at or around the foundation (which causes basement seepage) and promotes the environment for mold growth and wood boring insect activity.

Keep mulch, dirt and other landscaping material away from veneer drainage system weep holes commonly found on, but not limited to veneer masonry and stucco homes. The veneer drainage system diverts water away from the interior of the exterior wall system and the weep holes allow the water to escape from the wall. If the weep holes are blocked or clogged with debris, mold may form on the interior of your exterior walls. The weep holes are found at the bottom course of the finished veneer.

Sidewalks, steps, stoops and all exterior foundation cracks should be filled. sealed or parged with mortar in order to bring up to date. Prospective Buyer's don't want to see cracks everywhere.

Caulking around windows, doors, foundation, chimney gap at the siding transition and other common leakage points is necessary to prevent any moisture intrusion.

Repair any broken fencing that you may have around your property. Painting this fence will make it appear newer.

During the Summer months, add colorful plantings and bark mulch around exterior of the home, but not next to the foundation.

 Next Week: Inside Maintenance Tips