Prepare Your Property Like A Pro And Boost Profits

The housing market is hot, and you've decided to list your home. But what, if any, improvements should you tackle before selling? Should you just leave it all to the new homeowner?

There are two ways to look at pre-sale home improvements. You can either improve the curb appeal or the home's outward appearance with quick and often low-cost improvements, or you can make some higher-dollar changes with the goal of adding value to the home and increasing your asking price. The reality is that all houses benefit from a little "spiffing up" before being shown to buyers, and smart home sellers will take the time and effort to do so.

If you are selling a home that requires a major repair for recent damages, consider contacting a public adjuster to determine if the loss is covered by insurance. If so, the resulting repairs could significantly boost your home's resale value at little or no cost to you. Learn more.

View your home with a critical eye

Great curb appeal with immaculate landscaping, fresh paint, tidy closets and cabinets, spotless windows and a clutter-free feeling are essential to make a home really stand out. Impressing potential buyers is often a one-shot deal, so take the time to make some minor improvements that can lead to a faster sale and a higher offer.

Assume the role of a homebuyer. Give your home a critical look for dirt, flaws and cramped spaces. Then imagine the work ahead of you if you were to make this your new home. Think of your house as a commodity to be sold for top dollar, and you'll soon be eager to make needed improvements.

Drive around and notice well-cared-for homes. Yards are groomed, paint is fresh and entrances are neat and welcoming. Then take an honest look at your home, and roll your sleeves up to tackle the tasks below:

* Pressure-clean rust, mold and mildew off exterior walls, sidewalks, decks, the roof and the driveway.

* Clean smudged windows and unclog gutters.

* Sweep sidewalks and driveways ? and keep them clean.

* Edge sidewalks and remove weeds along the house and in the garden.

* Mow the lawn regularly.

* Trim back trees and shrubs that block the street view of your house for a more inviting appearance.

* Rake and remove leaves regularly.

* Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the roof.

* If you lack outdoor lighting, add a front porch light fixture and keep it turned on. Buyers often cruise by after dark to check out homes.

* Keep lights that are visible through front windows on for a warm appearance.

* If it's in your budget, fresh exterior paint makes a house look like new.

* An attractive front door, perhaps with leaded glass inserts, creates a great first impression. But if you can't afford a new door, replace worn handles and locks and apply a fresh coat of paint or stain.

* Clean carpets to remove odors and stains

Indoor re-dos

1. Every room, even the garage, should be spotless. Hiring a cleaning service is worth the minor investment if you are unable to give your home the once-over yourself. Clean major appliances, inside closets and do not forget to polish bathrooms.

2. Eliminate offensive odors ? cigarette smoke and pet odor are permanent turnoffs and kill a sale. Send smokers outdoors, keep pets groomed and their bedding clean and out of the way and vacuum daily.

3. Make inexpensive repairs that greatly improve aesthetic appeal, such as repairing cracked grout, screwing in a loose shelf and replacing a cracked bath tile.

4. Remove clutter. Potential homebuyers can't envision themselves and their belongings in your home if they can't see past all your stuff. A rule of thumb is to eliminate at least one-third of your belongings from each room. If needed, invest in a storage space for your extraneous belongings while showing your home. Other clutter cutters: Store small kitchen appliances and other items off countertops and tables; Remove photographs and knick knacks from tables; and organize closets, pantry and cabinets.

Tips for vacant homes

Your home should be welcoming to buyers even if it is vacant. Keep your empty home inviting with the following tips:

* Vacant homes accumulate stale or mildew-laden air. Leave the heat or air conditioning running (depending on the season) to cut down odors. Set up a few softly fragranced air fresheners.

* Keep the lawn and landscaping groomed, even if you have to hire a service.

* Put a few lights on a timer switch to come on throughout the day.

Improvements that are worth your time

While you don't want to take on a major renovation project that could cost thousands right before you sell creating chaos and delaying your listing date, you should examine the list of improvements you might have done if you weren't selling. Weigh whether it is worth your while ? and the potential boost to your selling price ? to go ahead with the improvements. Here are some tips to add value to your home:

* Complete half-finished projects. No one will pay full price for a home that has half-painted rooms or a partially re-tiled bathroom. Now that you're selling, it's time to complete those projects you thought you could knock out yourself but never seem to have time to complete.

* Focus on the kitchen. Kitchens, centrally located in many homes, are critical to most buyers. An outdated kitchen can lower the value of your home, and something as simple as repainting cabinets and changing hardware can provide a modern update that can increase your home's value. Add new cabinets and replace countertops and you could add thousands to your asking price.

* Paint the interior. Whether you have just a few too many smudges and dings, or your color scheme is too "1980s," it can be well worth the dollar to transform interior walls with a few coats of neutral color. Get bids for the best deal and you'll be surprised by how much better your home looks.

* Update or repair light fixtures. You can be sure that during a walk-through all lights will be switched on and questions will arise if a switch yields nothing but darkness.

* Repair appliances. Repair any appliances listed with the home or you can expect to not get your full list price.

Don't bother

You might think adding a pool would increase your return on value but the truth is, most buyers aren't willing to give you the full price you paid for installation. Other major projects, such as adding a new story to your home, adding a master suite or installing carpeting may not give you the return at the sale that you were hoping for. Skip the project and let the buyer perform the projects he or she wants to do. If you need a new roof, you might consider splitting the cost with the buyer. Many buyers are willing to meet you half way on major repair projects, since they will be benefiting from the repairs for years to come.

Ready, set, go!

Whether you choose to make lower-cost improvements or higher-dollar renovations that can raise your home's asking price, it's a proven fact that real estate listings in great shape typically sell for more than those that are in only passable condition. Time and again, sellers who prep their homes for sale in advance reap the benefits with a faster sale and a higher sale price.

Charles Warnock is Manager of Interactive Marketing at Homekeys, a provider of real estate and technology services in Miami, Florida. He writes frequently on the topics of real estate, finance, interactive marketing and business development. Visit http://www.homekeys.net and or contact charles at cwarnock@homekeys.net.

---

4 Dangers In Flipping Real Estate

If you have recently purchased some real estate for investment... Read More

Investing in Real Estate Vehicle for Wealth Building

Real estate is one of the best vehicles of building... Read More

Advantages and Disadvantages to Selling a House on Your Own

As with any business transaction, there are pros and cons... Read More

6 REASONS for Investing in Florida Real Estate Investment Property NOW

I invite you to take the next few minutes to... Read More

The Value of Building Home Equity

There are numerous advantages to owning a home. One of... Read More

Dont Just GET THE DEED - The Infamous Kitchen Table Closing

Q: Hi Lou, I have a property under contract that... Read More

How To Simplify Your Real Estate Buying/Selling Experience

Today's real estate consumer has a lot to consider during... Read More

Real Estate Investors Kick Away $1,000

Those new to real estate investing often fail to take... Read More

Real Estate Investment 2005 - The Hottest Countries for Investment in 2005

Whether you are a real estate investor looking for a... Read More

FSBO: For Sale By Owners Chapter One

She reached the phone on its second ring. "This is... Read More

Reinventing Real Estate, Part 1: Online and Empowered Consumers Are Taking Charge and Paying Less

For decades, the real estate world turned in a predictable... Read More

18 Easy Steps to Buy a Bargain House

What is a "distressed" property? What is "bargain" real estate?A... Read More

San Diego Real Estate, Million Dollar Homes

San Diego county has always been known for its Luxury... Read More

Rental Property Management - Ten Questions

Why hire rental property management? Because doing it all yourself... Read More

Green Building Media Fact Sheet - Past, Present & Future

PastSpecialized, niche home builders began constructing resource-efficient, environmentally sensitive homes... Read More

The Real Estate Market In Spain: Making Profits Out Of Sand

The Real estate market in Spain keeps gaining momentum and... Read More

Home Not Selling In Todays Hot Market? Tips and Ideas to Help You Sell

So, your selling your home. Prepare yourself both physically and... Read More

Selling Your Home ? What Can Go Wrong With Pricing and Loans

So, you're selling your home (house, townhouse, condo, apartment, land,... Read More

Selling a House is Easy

The thought of selling a house strikes fear into most... Read More

Why Do Realtors Advertise Your Home in Print,on the Radio, on Television, etc.?

Why Do Realtors Advertise Your Home in Print,on the Radio,... Read More

Land for Sale

Think owning land would cost a fortune? Think again! While... Read More

New or Old House?

A lot of buyers think that a new house is... Read More

Selling Houses: Psychological Effects of Landscaping

Buyers think they care more about the inside of the... Read More

Should You Buy Hud Homes?

Buy HUD homes are sometimes the cheapest option available for... Read More

Top 7 Reasons Why FSBOs Fail To Sell Their Home On Their Own!

In the United States, less than 10% of all For... Read More

Cheap, Bargain, Real Estate; Good Deals, Below Market, Low Priced Properties Are Available...

Cheap, Bargain, Real Estate; Good Deals, Below Market, Low Priced... Read More

Bulgarian Property Market Insight

GOLF GRABS BULGARIA!At the present time there are only three... Read More

Attention To Details Helps Homeowners Sell Fast In A Buyers Market

Your boss has just given you the career opportunity of... Read More

Purchasing Florida Investment Property And Various Considerations

Purchasing Florida Investment PropertyConsidering researching the purchase of Florida Investment... Read More

Buying Foreclosures - Knowing Why Helps You Buy

One big potential deal-killer in buying foreclosures is the homeowner.... Read More

As a Realtor, How Do I Attract Listings?

Have you ever noticed that despite the massive number of... Read More

Investment Real Estate Secret: Buy a House Today, With No Money Down

If you've read my article "Purchasing Property With No Money... Read More

For Sale By Owner Listings

Selling your home on your own, without a Realtor, is... Read More