Tehama County Real Estate

You are not just selling your house, you are selling a potential home to a buyer. The key to a successful sell is presenting your home as more than just a simple habitat. Buyers are looking for comfort, quality and value. Regardless of the size or the location of your home, there is a potential buyer that will see it as the perfect place if it is presented correctly. Before listing your home, it is important to evaluate its appearance. People tend to overlook the imperfections in their homes simply because they become used to seeing them every day. It is often helpful to enlist the critical eye of an agent. Ask them what you need to do to get your home ready for sale. Most agents are happy to help out a potential client. Another point to keep in mind before listing your home is to acquaint yourself with the competition. Statistically, yours is not the only house a buyer will see. They will most likely tour dozens of homes similar to your own. Take some time to find out how your home stacks up against the other homes on the market.

The following is a general checklist of items to evaluate in you home, starting at the curb and walking through the actual structure.

1. The “curb appeal” or first impression can determine the number of buyers that view your home. An untidy or uninviting house front can be such a deterrent that a buyer will seldom agree to see the rest of the property.

2. Make sure that your lawn is in really good condition. Look for brown spots or bare patches. You may need to fertilize or even reseed. Often times you can get a good can of spray paint to paint the brown spots.

3. Assess your driveway. Is it cracked or discolored? Make sure debris and toys are removed. Borrow a powerwasher from a friend to clean the driveway of those unsightly stains.

4. A relatively inexpensive and simple way to create a hospitable and inviting home is to plant fresh flowers. A little color goes a long way when welcoming a buyer.

5. Make sure trees and bushes are manicured and healthy. Flowerbeds should be free of weeds and yard waste.

6. The steps leading to your house need to be in good condition. Replace any broken bricks or stones. Consider giving wood stairways a fresh coat of paint.

7. If the stairs need to be repainted, chances are your home needs to be repainted as well. House paint begins to look dull and worn after only a few years. If your home has not been painted in the last five years you will need to determine if the condition of the paint will deter a buyer. If you do need to repaint, remember when choosing a color for your home that you are trying to please as many potential buyers as possible. It is wise to avoid harsh or garish colors. Instead, stick to neutrals. If you have a homeowner’s association, find out if there is an approved color list.

8. The windows in the front of your house play a big part in curb appeal. If they are gleaming and in good repair, they can draw a buyers interest. It is essential that all the windows in your home are unbroken and cleaned both inside and out. Make sure all screens are free of tears and dust. It is also a good idea to leave the shades up and the curtains spread apart. This will make your home seem more inviting.

9. Examine your front door. Is the hardware tight and shiny? Are there cobwebs around the entryway? The door light should be clean and modern. Make sure your transom (the casement that forms the bottom of the doorway) is tight and free of loose nails. The door should open and close smoothly.

10. Regardless of the actual size of your home, buyers like to feel open space inside. You may need to remove some furniture or rearrange so that each area has a roomy feeling. Too many knick-knacks can make a home feel cluttered. It is a good idea to box up all but a few.

11. Have your carpets cleaned. Worn, spotted carpet is a big turn off to most potential buyers. Your carpet may even need to be replaced. Replacing carpet is expensive. However, more often than not, a seller is reimbursed for this upgrade when the house sells.

12. The interior paint in your house needs to be free of marks, stains and scratches. Almost all homes have incidental marks on the walls. It is always a good idea to paint the interior of your home when preparing it for sell. Not only will the scuff marks be gone, but new paint gives homes a fresh, clean feeling. As with exterior paint, select your colors carefully.

13. Make the kitchen seem modern and airy. If you are living in an older home, chances are your kitchen is small by today’s standards. To make the space seem larger, start by removing clutter from counter tops. If you have a dining area, put in an undersized table. If your appliances are old and out-of-date, consider replacing them. A few thousand dollars spent can make your kitchen a selling point and not a deterrent.

14. Bathrooms are an important feature to buyers. At the very least, meticulously clean the sink and counter tops and paint the walls. Old fixtures that have lost their luster and are stained by mineral buildup are a particular eyesore. If you are unable to make them look nice and in good working order, consider replacing them.

15. Make sure your home has plenty of light and air. Open shades so light can come in every room. If you have a particularly dark room, bring in a couple lamps and make sure they are turned on when a buyer comes by. If the weather is temperate, open windows so a light breeze flows through the house. If it is hot outside, make sure your air conditioning is working well. If it is cold, keep your house heated to a comfortable temperature and make sure your furnace has a good filter.

16. Nothing will turn a buyer away faster than a home with a bad odor. Pet odors are more often than not the source, but sinks and garbage can also create a foul smell. Empty all garbage cans throughout the house and make sure your sink garbage disposal is clean and clear of residue. Carpet that has been soiled by pets almost always needs to be replaced. You will also need to replace the pad under the carpet. Keep in mind that most people are immune to the odor of the own home. You will need the opinion of an unbiased person that does not live with you.

17. If you are aware of a situation in your house that would allow black mold to grow, hire a professional to check it out. If they find black mold, have it analyzed to determine if it’s the common variety or the rare, toxic type. Whatever the verdict, you will need to remove mold growing in you home. It can also be the source of a bad odor.

18. Tidy the back and side yards. Remove any unsightly items you may be storing on the sides of your house. Assess the condition of patios and decks. You may need to make some repairs, but a beautiful outdoor living space can feel like an additional room.

19. Do everything you can to make your yard seem lush and well groomed. Water and mow the lawn frequently. Trim hedges and weed flowerbeds.

20. If you are using your garage for storage it will appear smaller and often times cluttered. You may need to move large items to a rental space and invest in rubber containers to hold smaller items. Take the time to clean out your garage; it is an important part of your home.