TEXAS LIFESTYLE | HABITAT
Sell it in Summer Quick tips to prep your home for sale By Ariana Brooks
C
onventional Realtor wisdom says that spring is the time to sell. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re too late. "The summer season is very popular as school is out and it gives families time to relocate without losing any classroom time,” says Carol Dochen, Broker of the Year for 2017 (Platinum Top 50 Realtors). With Dochen’s expert tips for prepping your home for the marketplace, you’ll be ready to sell in no time.
Maintain your home.
Fix rotting wood. Remove ivy from exterior walls -- this helps in the inspection phase. (Ivy creeps up walls, giving termites and other bugs an entry point into the house. It also ruins the brick.) Keep tree limbs three feet off the roof to avoid damage to the shingles. Clean out gutters so bugs can’t nest in backed-up leaves and to prevent water getting into the house. Keep soil in flowerbeds 4 inches lower than the foundation. (Any higher and termites can too easily creep into weep holes.)
Work on the walls.
Potential buyers should be able to visualize themselves living in your home, so begin with depersonalizing the walls by removing and storing personalized artwork, photos, diplomas, etc. You want to give them a blank canvas. Don’t forget: caulk and repaint holes left behind by nails.
Deep clean.
Windex is your new best friend. Remove dust and dirt from your mailbox, bookshelves, outdoor tables, etc. Clean your carpets. (No buyer wants to see old pet stains.) Have your windows professionally cleaned.
A little style goes a long way.
If you’re making changes, such as painting a room or getting new carpet, follow current trends. Remove dark outmoded drapes. Neaten and de-clutter closets; make them uniform with matching hangers.
People fall in love from the curb.
Trim trees so visitors can see your home. Buyers have time to look around as their Realtor is unlocking the front door, so make a good first impression with a clean front entryway. Remove cobwebs and plant flowers.
Do a touch-up clean before showings.
Declutter kitchen and bathroom counter tops. Empty the dish rack. Put away cleaning supplies. Tidy the mudroom; store shoes in baskets under benches. Declutter the shower area to showcase features like tile, built-in storage areas, etc. Make sure shower and toilet are immaculately clean. CAROLDOCHENREALTORS.COM
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