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Preparing your home for sale
Are you thinking of selling your home? Before your realtor begins showing your home, you will want to make sure it’s in tip-top condition. An attractive, well-kept home generally has a better chance of selling a little faster.
Minor exterior and interior improvements can add value to your home and do not require a large renovation bill. Think back to what first attracted you to your home; now determine how best to highlight and improve your home’s best features.
Here are a few ideas to help you perk-up your home’s appearance. Consult with your realtor to see what types of improvements make the most sense.
Start with the outside: an inviting exterior ensures that potential buyers will inspect the interior.
• Keep lawns and gardens well maintained;
• Ensure garage and porch areas are free of clutter and refuse;
• Repair loose siding or pavement;
• Replace any damaged roof shingles, eaves troughs or cracked windows;
• Wash windows, gutters, mailbox and doors;
• Secure loose shutters or awnings.
The inside story: you can do a lot to improve the inside of your home without spending a great deal of money. Two primary areas to keep in mind are the kitchen and bathroom
• Ensure kitchen and bathrooms are sparkling clean;
• Repair dripping facets and showerheads;
• Steam clean or replace carpets if necessary;
• Thoroughly clean every room in the house, removing all clutter;
• Repaint dingy walls or kitchen cabinets with a neutral colour;
• Replace worn or outdated countertops and cracked light-switch plates.
• Remove any items (like chandeliers) that won't be included in the sale of the home.
The more effort put into the initial clean up, the easier it will be to keep your home looking its best for visits from your realtor with prospective buyers. As well, keep in mind that rooms that are too cluttered will give the impression that they're much smaller than their true size. Try to create a feeling of spaciousness when conducting your spruce-up.
Step into spring with a home maintenance check-up
As any realtor will tell you, regular preventative maintenance is vital to maintaining your property value. By spending a few hours every spring conducting a careful home inspection you’ll save money in the long run, because you can address minor problems before they turn into major repairs. A spring maintenance check-up is especially important this spring given the wear our homes received during a winter of record-setting rainfall and severe windstorms.
Grab a clipboard or notebook and take a walk around your house with the checklist below. Make notes on any problem areas, and then call the appropriate service professionals for advice.
Roof: Look for missing, slipped, sagging or cracked tiles or shingles. Replace or repair as necessary. Clear the roof of all debris. If you notice "streams" — signs of irregular water drainage — consult a professional roofer.
Chimney: Chimney flues should be inspected yearly and swept as necessary.
Gutters and downspouts: Look for signs of damage. Drains and gutters should be cleared of debris. You can test them by pouring a bucket of water down each downspout to ensure free flow.
Foundation: Houses settle year by year and can develop stress cracks; these can cause leaks into your basement. Have any noticeable foundation cracks repaired immediately.
Exterior siding: Inspect siding for sagging or damaged panels that may need replacing. Inspect wood soffits and fascia for signs of rot or pest infestation. If you have a brick exterior, check for loose or missing bricks and cracks in mortar.
Paint: The average exterior paint job lasts five to eight years but can be prolonged with annual touch-ups. Scrape, sand and repaint any patches that are peeling before the wood deteriorates. Trim shrubs and plants back at least 18 inches from the house, as they can cause moisture damage.
Flashings: Look for cracks and leaks in flashings; repair or replace as necessary.
Doors and windows: Inspect caulking and trim. Check doors and windows for smooth movement, and lubricate with silicone spray. Wash window screens and check for tears.
Water line: Check for loose joints in the water line to outside faucets
Furnace and boiler: Clean or replace furnace filter. Replacing it with an electrostatically charged filter is a good way to improve indoor air quality. Vacuum exterior of furnace and boiler.
Pipes: Check exposed pipes (indoors and out) for signs of leaks or corrosion.
Interior walls: Check walls for bulges, damp patches or peeling paint; these may indicate moisture trapped in the walls.
Basement: Inspect floors and walls for dampness, leaks and cracks.
Ventilator fans and stove exhaust fan: These should be cleaned and lubricated.
The key to effective maintenance is tracing problems right to the source, rather than just making cosmetic repairs. Be sure to seek professional advice if you suspect an underlying problem. Get into the habit of regular spring maintenance check-ups, and you’ll see the pay off when it comes time to sell your home.
John Panrucker
cell: 604.230.7390
office: 604.942.7211
Sutton Group
1st West Realty
office: (604)942-7211
fax: (604)942-2437
#118 - 3030 Lincoln Ave.
Coquitlam, B.C., V3B 6B4