24D
REAL ESTATE GUIDE - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - MARCH 26 - APRIL 1, 2014
Selling Advice: Local Experts Share Tips BY ANDY NEWMAN
anewman@antonnews.com
It’s the first impression that really counts when a homeowner is about to market his or her property, so say Kathy Christie of Port Washington’s Laffey Fine Homes and Elinore West of Great Neck’s Douglas Elliman. Christie, a licensed associate broker and manager of the Port office, who’s been in residential sales for almost 30 years and West, who’s been a licensed salesperson for 27 years, have loads of advice for sellers who want to make their homes as inviting as possible to so that a buyer can be found as fast as possible. They both say that those small repairs and adjustments that a typical homeowner might normally ignore, or put off for a later time, should be taken care of immediately. “The front entry should be in top-notch condition,” says Christie. “You want that first impression to be spot on. If your front door is falling apart, you want to replace it. If the storm door needs a new screen, put it on.” “You should sit down with your listing agent before the house goes
on the market and discuss what should be done to make the house look its best,” adds West. “Some of the small repairs, which are usually
If you know Roslyn Harbor…
…you know our home. And it’s coming on the market for only the 2nd time in over 40 years!
If you yearn for the charm of a home built in 1799 that doesn’t suffer from the wear and tear of its years—only basks in the glory of its history—enjoys the benefits of appropriate updating, the delight of nature from its pond-front location, and the peaceful elegance of Roslyn Harbor—a home selected by Newsday for the cover of its “Favorite Blocks of our Readers” feature, then look for the MLS listing coming out in early May. Proudly offered by Buyers Elite Realty 112625 631.588.8818 x-102
inexpensive, can be beneficial. Don’t neglect easy fixes and let them stand in the way of a sale.” Homeowners who have lived in their homes a long time sometimes find it difficult to view their properties objectively. A real estate agent can often help. West suggests that homeowners take a tour around the property and thoroughly inspect the exterior, not just the front entrance. Christie referred to the severity of weather this past winter and recommended that the gutters and leaders receive special attention. “As I drive through different neighborhoods I’ve been noticing a lot of damage to them from the ice and snow,” she said. “You’ve got to fix them.” West also says that a tidy, organized home is what a prospective buyer wants to see, not one littered with everyday clutter. “The first thing I tell anyone is to clean up completely,” she explains. “Take as much junk and garbage out as you can. Get rid of things lying around unnecessarily on tables like magazines and newspapers. Look at your kitchen and bathroom counters. Take away anything that adds clutter to the house.” “Make it look like the home is comfortable so the customer doesn’t think that the house is small,” she said. “Anything that gives your home a clean, fresh look is so important.”
Some home repairs may be a dirty job now, but they can pay off big when it comes time to sell. Christie agrees with West in regard to clutter and cleanliness. “You have to make sure your house is de-cluttered and thoroughly cleaned,” she added. “A thorough cleaning is absolutely a must. It doesn’t cost a lot of money and you can often do it yourself. ‘Clean’ is very appealing to people.” “If your house is dated and has old carpeting,” Christie continued, “I’d take the old rugs out and expose the nice wood floors. Have them refinished if necessary.” “Give things inside a paint job,” she recommended. “If you have a limited budget, I’d certainly paint the trim. I’d make sure the stairs leading to the second floor are cleaned or painted. That’s what catches your eye as you go up the stairs.” When asked for more suggestions, West replied, “It’s also about little things that might be overlooked. Spackle and paint any holes or cracks on the walls and ceilings, make sure all your kitchen cabinets open and close properly and that all of your interior doors work smoothly, too. I’d also look closely at your bathrooms and patch up or repair any damaged grout. You should also realize that customers love to open closets and cabinets. So make sure they’re neat and organized.”