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First impressions mean everything when it comes to selling your home.  A prospective home buyer=s first and in most cases only impression is made upon arrival at the showing.  If the home suits the prospective home buyer=s needs, a good first impression will likely generate an offer.  A bad first impression, regardless of the suitability of the home to the needs of the prospective home buyer will almost certainly result in a loss of interest.

18 Points to Enhance Marketability

1.  Major Structural Issues - Unless you plan to price and market your home as a rehabilitation property, all major structural issues should be addressed prior to marketing.  These include major foundation cracks/shifting as well as anything involving insect or water damaged wood flooring, joists and walls.  Basement or other wooden stairs that are pulling apart should be repaired as soon as possible as this may present a serious safety issue.

2.  Water In Basement - Water, even intermittent leaks in a basement are a drawback to selling your home.  Consult with a reputable waterproofing contractor prior to marketing your property.

3.  Water In Yard - Water standing near your home should be drained away from the area closest to your home.  Draining this water gives your home a better appearance and reduces the likelihood that water will seep into your basement.

4.  Plumbing - Leaking or corroded plumbing should be repaired or replaced prior to marketing.  This includes leaky faucets and toilet flush mechanisms. 

5.  Plumbing Fixtures - Chipped bathtubs should be refinished, toilets and sinks containing cracks should be replaced.

6.  Electrical - All lighting and outlets should be operational prior to marketing.  If your home does not contain ground-fault interrupters for bathrooms, kitchen sink and other wet areas, consider having them installed by a qualified electrical contractor.

7.  Floor Coverings - All floor covering material should be in satisfactory condition.  Soiled wall-to-wall carpeting should be steam cleaned.  If carpeting is visibly worn, replace with new neutral shaded carpeting.  Bathroom, foyer and kitchen tiles and linoleum should be replaced if cracked, marred or faded.

8.  Windows - Again, unless you intend to market your home as a rehabilitation property, windows containing rotting wooden frames should be replaced prior to marketing.

9.  Interior Appearance - Smoke darkened or yellowed interior walls and ceilings should be cleaned and repainted as appropriate.  Select neutral colors for any repainting project since they will minimize the likelihood a prospective purchaser will find the colors you selected to be objectionable.

10.  Exterior Appearance - All siding should be intact, replace cracked or missing pieces as this can be one of the first flaws a potential buyer sees.  Peeling paint on soffits should be repainted, rotting wood should be replaced.  Visibly damaged brick mortar should be repaired.  Gutters should be cleaned, especially if marketing your home during the fall season.

11. Roofs - Any leaks should be addressed as soon as possible.  Water leaking into a home through a faulty roof is a prime source for mold development.  Mold abatement can be costly, sometimes involving the gutting of drywall, insulation and carpeting from a section of a home.  Consult a roofing expert if you believe your home=s roof needs replacement.  Remember the general rule, your roof can have a maximum of two layers of roofing shingles.  If your home=s roof requires replacement and contains two or more layers of roofing shingles, your home may require a Atear-off.@

12. Driveway and Garage Floors - Driveways and garage floors should be free of grease stains.  Clean prior to marketing.  Major cracks should be repaired.  To enhance curb appeal, consider re-sealing a blacktop driveway.

13.  Lawns and Shrubbery - Lawns should be kept well maintained during the time your home is marketed.  This includes regular mowing and leaf removal.  Consider re-seeding damaged portions of your lawn.  A good quality fertilizer applied prior to marketing will help to give your lawn a lush look.  All shrubbery should neatly trimmed.  Consider replacing missing shrubs in order to assure a balanced appearance to your home.

14. Dogs, Cats and other Pets - Pets are a wonderful and welcome addition to any home, but pet odor and hair can be an immediate drawback to a potential buyer.  All carpeting that has irremovable pet odor should be replaced.  Damaged trim and cabinetry should be repaired prior to marketing.

15.  Kitchen Appliances - Prior to marketing, all kitchen appliances that will be included in the sale of your home should be in good operational condition.  Cleanliness is key, remove any accumulated grease or other residue.

16.  Heating and Cooling - If your furnace is 20 or more years old and not a high efficiency model, consider having it replaced with a high efficiency furnace.  A high efficiency furnace is an excellent selling feature.  Central air conditioning systems should be operational at time of marketing, even if your selling your home in the dead of winter.

17.  Curtains, Blinds and Clutter - Even if you do not intend to include curtains and blinds with the sale of you home, worn or soiled blinds and curtains detract from the appearance of your home.  Replace or remove soiled or worn curtains and blinds prior to marketing.  Clutter, whether it is contained in closets, bedrooms, a basement or a garage should be minimized.  Clutter detracts from the overall appearance of your home and gives prospective buyers the impression your home lacks sufficient storage space.

18. Lighting - Lighting that casts warm hues should be used throughout your home.  Dark corners should be lighted, especially if your home will be shown to potential buyers during the evening.  Consider placing additional lamps to light these areas.

Caution - Remember many communities require permits prior to initiating certain types of repairs.  Consult with your building inspector prior to beginning your projects.  Finally, many repairs require specialized tools, knowledge and safety precautions.  Always consult a qualified expert prior to initiating any repair that involves a danger to yourself or others.

Executive Realty of Amherst
336 Harris Hill Rd., Williamsville, New York 14221.
office: (716)632-3605
fax: (716)929-3333
or
E-mail me at:
raymond.kot@amherstrealty.biz