What you can do NOW to get prepared to sell your Austin home in the spring
Paul Reddam
As a Realtor, I reduce the stress of the real estate process so you can be happy buying or selling your Austin, Tx home
For those of you contemplating selling your Central Austin home this spring, there are several things you should do NOW. Not only will these three steps help you prepare and get a jump on the market, but they may also serve to boost your sales price.
STEP 1: CLEAN AND PURGE.
It’s natural to accumulate a lot of stuff after living in your home for some time. But jam-packed closets and over-stuffed drawers don’t show well. The same goes for garages that are so full of boxes and equipment that you can’t even park in them. Yet, tackling a major clean out can be daunting. Take advantage of the cooler weather and slowly go through your belongings one area or room at a time. Purge or donate what you can. Feeling overwhelmed by all the work to be done? Consider employing a home organizer or a professional stager. They can help you purge, pack, and clean so that your home makes a positive impression on potential buyers.
STEP 2: BRING ALL HOME MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE.
Many real estate transactions fall apart after the buyer has the home inspected. To remedy some of this deal turbulence, we suggest that sellers have their home pre-inspected. This will give you advance notice of any issues that may arise during the buyer’s inspection and option period. With that knowledge in hand, you can decide to either fix the problem before you put it on the market or adjust the price of your home accordingly. Providing potential buyers with a copy of the home inspection before the home is under contract also reduces the likelihood that the buyer will come back and attempt to re-negotiate the purchase price based on the outcome of their own inspection.
Of course, maintenance takes time, and you don’t want to spend time during the peak of the market getting repairs done. Rather, we suggest you get ahead by having these systems checked out now. Go ahead and make the minor repairs if you can, but talk to a Realtor before spending big dollars on any fix up. A Realtor can advise you about what kind of return on investment you can expect on the repairs. Depending on the cost of the repairs and the condition or location of your home, it may make sense to complete some, none, or all of the repairs.
#1: Have your plumbing evaluated. Are your toilets and faucets in good condition? How about your water heater? Any Leaks? Does your home still have the original cast iron plumbing? It is beneficial to have a plumber audit your plumbing system and make any small repairs that are needed.
#2: How’s your electrical system? How old is your electric service box? Do you have aluminum wiring inside your home? Any fixtures that are broken? Now’s the time to get those items checked out. While you’re at it, replace any burnt out light bulbs and dump all of the dead bugs from the light fixture pans.
#3: Check the roof. Is your roof functioning as intended? Are there any active leaks? Has there been a hail storm since the last time your roof was replaced? Most roofing companies will provide a complimentary assessment. Get a couple of them to do an assessment and see if any repairs need to be made. While you’re checking out the roof, remove any limbs or accumulated debris.
#4: How does the exterior look? Is your siding in good shape? Is there any wood root? Does the home need to be power washed or painted? These are relatively easy fixes you can make now.
#5: Examine the gutters and drainage. Are your gutters clean and functioning? When it rains, does water pool around your house? If so, that can be a sign of foundation concerns that you will want to have evaluated.
#6: Check the attic. Are there signs of any pests? Are your AC ducts in good shape? Is there adequate insulation? And ventilation?
#7: Have the heating and air conditioning systems tuned up. Is your HVAC system functioning efficiently? Do all of the thermostats work?
#8: Assess your appliances. Are they all working well? Are they in good condition?
#9: Inspect the windows. Are they properly sealed and insulated? Can you feel any significant drafts? Are there any broken latches or window panes?
#10: Scrutinize your landscaping. Do you have any dead patches in your grass? Any dead limbs in the trees? Are the bushes maintained? Would it help to add some new plants? Because landscaping plays a big part in increasing the curb appeal of your home it can be useful to have a landscaper evaluate your property.
STEP 3: CONSULT WITH AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR. (You might even consider doing this step first.)
Most Realtors, including us, provide free consultations to discuss selling your home. A good Realtor will partner with you and develop a strategy about what needs to be done to get your home ready to sell. Use the winter months to interview and select a Realtor so that you are ready to hit the ground running when the market begins to peak in the spring.
When evaluating Realtors, be sure to ask about their experience and record of success working in and around your specific neighborhood. Look for someone who has familiarity with both upturns and downturns in the real estate market, who can easily navigate market fluctuations, foresee potential deal turbulence, who will aggressively market your home to sell, who has the skill to counsel you through the process, and will fiercely negotiate on your behalf.
If you‘re thinking about selling your Central Austin home this year, we would be happy to visit with you about maximizing your homes sale. We offer no obligation, no BS consults at no charge to you. Schedule yours today: https://calendly.com/paulreddam/15min
Want more tips about selling your Central Austin home? Check out:
Paul Reddam | Owner/Broker | Homesville Real Estate | ? 2017
