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Your To-Do List For SellingIf you're planning to add a "for sale" sign to the lawn this spring, consider these five areas while creating your to-do list.1. First impressions count You want to make a good impression from the moment potential buyers pull up to the house, experts say. First glimpses will include the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door. Peeling trim could be a kiss of death. Paint the exterior of the home in an odd color, and you could turn away potential buyers before they come inside. Don't underestimate the importance of good lawn care, either. "A lawn that looks good on the outside gives the impression that someone cares about that home," said Trey Rogers, a professor of turf-grass management at Michigan State University and the author of "Lawn Geek," a book of tips on how to maintain a lawn. His advice is to "keep it green and keep it cut." Mow the lawn to about 3 inches high at least twice a week when a home is on the market; 2 inches if the home is in a Southern state. The more it is mowed, the denser it will become. And get on a fertilization program, Rogers said, starting at the beginning of the season. If there are small spots to fill in, bypass store-bought sod and instead borrow some grass from an inconspicuous place elsewhere on the lawn, Rogers said. The grasses will match better that way. Early birds selling at the tail end of winter should keep the sidewalks shoveled if there is snow on the ground. 2. Neutralize and de-clutter When it comes to preparing a home's interior, any real estate professional or stager worth a paycheck will advise a client to go with neutral colors. "People can't visualize beyond what they see," said Jim Gillespie, the president and CEO of Coldwell Banker. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, have the added advantage of making a room appear larger, an effect that Dan Green noticed right away when he repainted his bedroom walls. Removing the home's clutter is also extremely important for helping potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home, Gillespie said.Beyond that, do some spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, rebuff hardwood floors and oil wood cabinetry...... click here for complete article Need to sell you home, condo or building lot? Visit 888SOLDin9 to talk with our Jacksonville FL 888soldin9 partner about your personal financial situation. Our Jacksonville FL partner, Jim Tallent buys, sells, renovates and rents homes and properties in Jacksonville FL, Duval County FL and Northeast Florida. |