Applesold.com: Realty in the Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport Areas

Once you have decided to sell your home, make sure it is ready to be sold. Buyers pay a premium for a home that is in top-notch, move-in condition.
These tips won't cost a lot but can make a big difference on the appearance of your home. It is amazing how just a little attention to these details will add that special appeal that the buyer is looking for!

First, you have to figure out what needs to be done to your home. If your not sure ask an Apple Agent! Also, a thorough property inspection up front will help to identify problem areas. Having the property inspection done and all the corrections taken care of before you get offers also shows the buyers that you are conscientious homeowners. This will relieve some of their anxiety about buying a home. Also, buyer's now days are having property inspection done before closing the sale. Often, this is when they will re-negotiate the price because of any problems that may turn up in the inspection. Having your own inspection done and making all necessary repairs first removes this opportunity for the buyer to try and re-negotiate.

Properties in prime condition are not only a pleasure for Apple agents to show, but other REALTORS as well; and they get shown more often!!! The more exposure a property gets, the better the chance of selling it quicker and for a higher price. Use the following as a checklist/ guide to preparing your home for sale. And Yes, all this may seem like a lot of work, and it is, but it means a quicker sale with less hassle and more money in your pocket. Not to mention the pleasure you and your family will receive from living in a well-kept home.

Clean up the outside

Curb appeal is the first impression of your house. Keeping the grass cut and the yard area tidy will help make a great first impression.

1. Front Entry
   Give special care to this area. First impressions do make a difference! All woodwork should be freshly and neatly painted, including the door if necessary. Replace badly worn or broken doorbells. Polish any door brass. Paint or replace an unsightly mailbox. Put out a new or clean doormat.
2. Exterior
   Wash or (paint) the exterior of the house (including window casings, shutters, and doors). Few things you will enhance the salability of your house quite as much as painting the outside. Before painting, scrape or water-blast any blistered or peeling paint; repair gutters and down spouts; and replace wood showing dry rot. Pay special attention to wood, trim, gutters, and wrought iron.
3. Yard
   Mow and trim the lawn. Weed flower beds; remove or replace dead plants or trees. Water regularly during the growing season. With desert landscaping, make sure that no underlying plastic is exposed, that rocks and sand are tidy, and that weeds and unwanted grass are removed.
4. Driveway, garage/carport
   Clean up grease or oil spots; remove the soil at least, if not the stains. See that the garage door opens freely, and if you have an automatic door opener, make sure it's in good working order.

Clean up the inside

1. Basic Cleaning & Housekeeping Hints
   • Bathrooms: Few places in the home can get so dirty so fast, and yet few things will "unsell" a house as fast as dirty bathrooms. Vanity, sink, faucet hardware, and mirror are the focal points. But don't forget other potential problems: soap residue in a shower, a moldy shower curtain, accumulated dirt in the track of a sliding shower door, soiled or missing grout, soiled toilet bowls, and dirty or battered bath mats.
   • Kitchen: Most buyers will inspect the kitchen carefully, so time invested here is well spent. Clean the stove inside and out. Replace badly stained or corroded reflector plates under the heating elements on electronic range tops. Don't neglect the kitchen exhaust hood; buyers frequently check this area as a clue to general housekeeping. Clean under the sinks! (and this goes for the bathroom sinks as well) If there is any leaks fix them. Then clean up the damage using contact paper or paint.
   • Windows: Clean windows are an absolute necessity if a house is to look its best. Weather permitting, open windows to let in fresh air.
   • Water heater and softener: Perhaps because it's so unusual, a sparkling clean water heater or water softener really impresses buyers: and it takes so little time and effort.
   • Smell - Get rid of any bad smells in your home
     • Pay attention to pet or cigarette odors.
     • Place scented potpourri around the house.
     • On the day you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls or home-made bread into the oven for a great aroma.
   • Air intakes and vents - Replacing air filters will help keep the dust down. Pay special attention to cleaning around the air intakes and vents.
2. Organize & Get rid of clutter - One of the best and least expensive ways to improve the "showability" of your home is to open up as much space as possible. Openness stimulates positive feelings in buyers. Overstuffed rooms or closets give the impression of being smaller than they really are. You can't change the size of what you have, but you can try to present it in a pleasing way. Clean out your closets, garage, basement and attic. Use self storage if necessary.
   • Closets and storage areas - One of the most frequently voiced requirements of buyers is for more closet and storage space. Open up your storage areas by removing items you aren't using.
   • Counters and cabinets -: The same principle used for closets applies here: overcrowding gives the impression of inadequacy. This applies to bathrooms and kitchens with the kitchen being most important. Store infrequently used appliances.
   • Garage - Buyers will pay a premium for a garage if they can visualize it being of value to them, but it's hard to sell when the garage is filled to overflowing. If your garage has become a two-car attic, move the excess to a mini-warehouse.
3. Windows
   Repair or replace torn or bent screens. As a last resort, remove them entirely; it's better to have no screens than to have unsightly ones. Replace any cracked or broken panes.
   Also, notice unsightly foliage near windows. A window framed in ivy can give a warm, homey feeling, but cut it back if the foliage is restricting the light coming into the rooms. Drapery rods should be affixed firmly to walls and work smoothly; draperies should be clean and hang properly.
4. Doors
   Check to see that all doors open and close freely, including closet doors and patio or sliding glass doors. Oil any squeaky doors. Tighten the hardware, particularly doorknobs. And while you're at it, tighten hardware on kitchen and bathroom cabinets, too.
5. Walls
   • Paint - Put a fresh coat of paint in the most used areas of the home. This will clean as well as brighten up the rooms. As with the exterior, painting indoors will pay dividends out of all proportion to the time and effort spent.
   • Wash the walls where paint is not appropriate (i.e. wall paper, paneling) Wallpaper should be clean and adhere smoothly to walls.
6. Floors
   • Repair any damaged areas - loose stair tread plate or loose carpeting on a stairway is a top priority.
   • Clean Carpet - Shampoo dirty carpets - Steam cleaning is the best answer for soiled carpets, especially when shampooing isn't enough. If pet odors are present, clean the carpet some time before your home is placed on the market to be sure the odors have been eliminated.
   • Wash Floors without Carpet - wash all floors and bathroom tiles. Repair or replace missing or damaged pieces of tile; polish if needed. If you have wood floors, polishing them or even maybe refinishing them will go a long way in adding value to your home!!

Check the Mechanicals

1. Lights
   Every light socket in and around the house should have a good bulb of adequate wattage. Don't overlook those outside and in the garage. Also remember the utility room, halls, closets, over the kitchen sink, and in the oven and exhaust hood.
2. Switches and fixtures
   Repair or replace wall switches, outlets, and light fixtures that don't work. Replace any broken switch plates.
3. Appliances
   Those that will be sold with the home should be in good working condition. If specific equipment doesn't work and you don't intend to repair it, point this out.
4. Plumbing
   Badly chipped or irreversibly stained sinks and tubs should be re-enameled, patched, or replaced. Leaky or noisy toilets should be fixed, as well as any dripping faucets.