5 Critical Steps You Must Take Before Listing Your Home For Sale

By: Glen Lazovick, Senior Vice President, Business Development

Summer is approaching, and you’ve decided that it’s time to put your house up for sale. Drawing from my 25 years’ experience in the industry, I’ve compiled this list of things to consider before you list your home. Taking these steps now can go a long way towards assuring that you'll successfully sell your house quickly and at a good price.

1. Walk through every room and around the outside of your home. Make a list of what needs to be repaired, updated or replaced. Remember you only get one chance to make a first impression.

• Which rooms need to be repainted?

• Wash the windows both inside and outside.

• Do the carpets need to be cleaned, stretched or replaced?

• Clean all light fixtures and make sure the blubs are clean and working. A bright well lit house will give a good impression.

• Make sure heating and ventilation vents as well as bathroom exhaust fans are vacuumed and clean.

• Have the HVAC system serviced and cleaned.

• On the outside of your home, prune trees and shrubs, replace any shrubs that did not make it through the winter, add some color with flowers. Put down fresh mulch.

• Power-wash siding, driveways, walkways and decks. Re-stain decks if needed.

• Repair and paint trim as needed.

2. De-cluttering your home will make rooms and closets appear larger and more inviting.

• Now is the time to go through your closets and get rid of the clothes you have not worn in the past few years. Don’t forget the linen closets, pantry and kitchen cabinets; they all should be orderly and uncluttered.

• Clean out the garage, basement and attic.

• If you have items that you do not use often but want to take with you to your next home consider renting a storage lockers or portable storage container. (Do not keep the portable storage container on your property have the company store it at their location, you do not want to call attention to a perceived lack of storage space).

• Hold a garage sale, or better yet donate your excess furniture, household items and clothing to a charity. You will get a tax write off and help someone in need.

3. Visit listed homes similar to yours.

• How do they compare to yours? Are they in better or worse shape? You will notice things that you might have overlooked in your own home (refer to number 1 above)

• How are they priced?

• Get some staging ideas to efficiently use space.

4. Meet with a Mortgage Loan Officer.

• Make sure you will be able to purchase your next home. There have been many changes to the mortgage process in recent months.

• Get pre-approved to increase you negotiating power.

5. Interview 2-3 Real Estate Agents.

• Get a referral from your Mortgage Loan officer. Your loan officer will know the top Realtors in your area and would be happy to make a referral.

• Ask for references from clients that they have worked with in the past.

• Ask for a detailed listing plan including a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA). All Agents should be in the same ballpark with a suggested listing price. If one is much higher or lower than the other ask them to justify the suggested price. They may give you an inflated price to gain the listing, only to have you lower your asking price in a week or two.

With these simple steps, you’ll be in a great position to sell your home. I’m always available to help you in the process in any way I can. Are you ready to begin the home buying process? Request a copy of our homebuyers guide or apply online.

Feng Shui 101: How This Ancient Art Can Help Improve Your Home Staging

It is a buyer's market, making home selling a challenge that can range from relatively simple to downright frustrating. Boosting ones' chances of selling their home can be done in a number of ways. One simple way is to utilize the art of Feng Shui - an ancient Chinese art, used to manipulate the flow of energy in your home.

Feng Shui can be as inexpensive or as costly as you would like. Using what is already on hand is one way to keep it free, but sometimes a simple coating of paint on the front door or a few decorative pieces can make a big difference in the room.

The Entry Way

First impressions are everything, so one of the most important rooms in the home is the one that is entered into first by potential buyers. If the entry way is followed by a hallway, making the hallway look as wide as possible is important, as open, spacious rooms have better energy flows. Using a long, runner rug is one way to achieve this look, as well as brighter paint colors on the walls.

The Main Living Area

The living area will be one of the main draws to potential buyers. They should be able to envision themselves spending time there, reading a good book or entertaining guests. Upon entering the room, buyers should not be looking at the backside of furniture. The furniture should be outward facing, in an inviting way. A simple table in the middle of the furniture arrangement keeps the flow going, while also allowing for utility and style. A few simple art pieces on the walls or on shelves are a nice addition, as long as the space does not look cluttered or ill-kept.

The Bedrooms

Electronics have a negative effect on energy flows, so keeping electronics out of the bedroom during the staging process is important. The bed should be in full view of the door, but the headboard should not be against the wall that is directly in front of the door. Allow as much natural light into the room as possible.

The Bathroom

In Feng Shui, drains are seen as energetically negative, so toilet seats and shower curtains or doors should remain closed. Again, natural light is important, as well as uncluttered counters. Mirrors should be easily accessible and have a good source of light, preferably natural.

The Kitchen

Many counters and tables are magnets for junk - keeping these spaces clear and free of clutter is essential to a nice energy flow, as well as successful staging. Fresh flowers add a nice touch to the room, and make it seem more open. Yellow is considered good for digestion, so painting the room a nice shade of yellow, or adding touches of yellow here and there can be beneficial.

Home staging is a vital, but sometimes overlooked aspect of house selling. Feng Shui can be a great way to interest more buyers, and sell a home quicker. Energy flow is the basis of Feng Shui, and both natural lighting and arrangement of furniture make a difference in the energy levels of a home.