This is my continuing series about selling your home after it has expired. In the Real Estate community, a home which didn’t sell during the time it was listed, is called an Expired Listing.
I have been participating in a mastermind group with other Realtors around the country. The subject of our meetings is expired listings, what happens which causes a home to expire without selling and how to overcome the obstacles to prevent the frustration for home sellers whose home does not sell.
In this follow up to my initial article about Indianapolis homes that didn’t sell, lets take a look at preparation.
When home sellers first think about selling their home, they instinctively start packing up and cleaning, which is an excellent place to start. The more small items you can get packed and put away ahead of time, the better. What are some of the items you should think about packing up?
- Small tables
- Extra toys
- Knick Knacks
- Excess furniture
- Family pictures
- Valuables
Open the space doesn’t just apply to the living areas.The next thing you should do is clean and starighten out cabinets and closets. Leave the necessities, and pack up everything else. If it’s spring, pack up all the winter clothes. Organize the shelves and shoes. Small spaces also look crowded when they have too many items in them.
Same thing for cabinets in the kitchen, laundry room and linen closets. Straighten up, clean up, throw away what you don’t want and pack what you don’t need for the next few months; extra towels, tupperware, silverware, anything which will add space.
Pack up as much as you can live without – we all have boxes of these items. In the last three times I have moved, I have the same boxes which have never been reopened. They’re things I don’t want to get rid of, but I don’t need them day to day.
As you go through your home, check the condition of everyday things which seem to get the most wear and tear in our homes. These would include things like:
- Baseboards – paint or stain those nicks and scratches
- Faucets – if they leak, fix them
- Stove and Refrigerator – Clean them thoroughly
- Ceiling Fans – No wobbles and dust removed.
- Outlet covers
- Furnace and Air Filters
If your walls need painted, paint them neutral. If you take down pictures, patch the holes and touch up the paint.
Clean, Clean, Clean – nothing speaks louder about the condition of a home than cleanliness! Especially the windows!
Take some time outside:
- Sweep the walkways
- Plant some flowers
- Keep the grass mowed
- Paint the front door or trim, if needed
- Fresh coat of stain and seal on the deck
- Trim the bushes
And pay special attention to the lock on the front door. If it’s broke or hard to open, replace it.
These are really just the basic items which get away from us on a day-to-day basis.
Next up: Condition
Related Articles:
Help, My Home Didn’t Sell – Part 1
Second Best Advice for Selling Your Home
