Preparing Your Home For Sale

Whether you're ready to sell now or just curious about the process, we can help.  Many homeowners begin thinking about selling long before they are really ready to move!

The sale of property in California involves numerous legal forms, disclosures and other legalities that even a For Sale By Owner must conform to.  We provide the following services in preparing your home for sale.

1. Provide a free, no obligation market evaluation for your property.
2. Provide an estimate of your cost of sale and your net equity based on your property.
3. Help you with the required paperwork so you're in compliance with all the disclosure requirements. 
4. We offer a home warranty for your property so you have free coverage while it's for sale.
5. If desired we help you hire a certified home inspection service to let us know of any property problems in advance.  
6. From the above report we determine which repairs are necessary and which are not.

Garage Sale Time

Now is a great time to get rid of all those unnecessary things you accumulated - things you no longer want or need - and bring in a little extra cash at the same time. 

A garage sale is not hard to prepare for and can be fun!  Enlist the help of the whole family in organizing and pricing your merchandise.  Perhaps you could arrange a joint sale with a few neighbors.  Advertise the sale in your local paper and with signs placed around the neighborhood.  Be prepared to bargain and drop prices, if necessary, to clear out your inventory.  Make arrangements with a local charity to collect all the leftover items after the sale.

Tax Deductible Moving Expenses

Many of the expenses connected with moving may be tax deductible, if the move is job related.  Some of these include:

• The cost of moving your household goods.
• Expenses incurred while house-hunting.
• Travel expenses during the move for you and your family.
• The cost of meals and temporary lodging for up to 30 days after you get the new job.
• The expenses, of selling your house and buying a new one.

To substantiate your claim, keep an accurate, detailed account of your moving expenses, including all receipts.

Special Care for Pets & Plants

Moving companies are not allowed to handle the shipment of pets, so you you will need to explore your alternatives.

Shipping animals by air is the fastest and most convenient method.  Most airlines are familiar with the care and handling requirements of animals.

If you must take your pet with you in the car, call ahead to make sure pets are allowed at your overnight stop.  Check with your veterinarian for hints that could make the trip more enjoyable for both you and your pet.  Before moving, be sure licenses and all vaccinations are up-to-date.

House plants do not travel well in the dark interior of moving vans.  Plants are difficult to pack and may have to survive several days without light and water.  Moving companies will not guarantee the condition of plants that are shipped and some states will not allow you to bring plants across their state line due to the possible transportation of harmful insects or diseased vegetation.   Check ahead before bringing plants with you to ensure that you will be allowed to cross state borders with them.

View Your Home as a Buyer Would See it.

People usually decide within minutes whether or not they like your house.  Remember to view your home as a buyer would see it.

Home Improvements – We Can Help

Call me at 310-216-6268 for Great Referrals.  I can provide you with names and numbers for reliable help in the following areas:

Kitchen

v    The kitchen is the most important room in the house.  Make it bright and attractive.  If it needs help, paint it and/or try new curtains.

v    Make sure the kitchen is spotless.  Check the stove, floor, windows, cabinets, etc.

v    Clean the ventilating hood in the kitchen.

v    If the kitchen floor is badly worn, replace it with new flooring.

v    Replace any loose tiles on the counter and walls.

v    Remove any appliances or knick-knacks you keep on the counters.  Clean, uncluttered counters will make the room look bigger.

Bathroom

v    Repair any dripping faucets.

v    Keep fresh towels in the bathroom.

v    Remove any stains from toilets, sinks, bathtub and shower.

v    If the sink, bathtub or shower drains too slowly, unclog it.

Outside

v    Make sure the front door and porch are clean.  Repaint the front door if necessary.

v    Keep the lawn and shrubs trimmed and neat looking.  Freshly planted flowers are attractive and inviting.

v    Sweep walkways.

v    Paint your house if necessary.  This can do more for the sales appeal than any other item.  If you don’t want to pain, consider touching up shutters or window frames.

v    Check the roof and gutters…any missing shingles to replace?  Gutters and downspouts in place?

Living Areas

v    Have all walls in top shape.  Repair all cracks, nail pops or visible seams in drywall.

v    Wash the windows.

v    Replace broken glass and town screens.  Make sure windows open and close.

v    Check ceiling for leak stains.  Fix the source of the leak, repair the ceiling and paint.  (Contract will require this to be done.)

v    In painting or redecorating, avoid offbeat colors.  Stick to white or easy to work with pastels or neutrals.

v    Replace or re-dye faded curtains or bedspreads.

v    If you have a fireplace, clean it out and put in fresh logs.

v    Replace burned out light bulbs.  Put in brighter light bulbs.  Make sure light switches work.

v    Clean floors and vacuum rugs.

v    Straighten up the closets and get rid of excess items.

v    Use air freshener to eliminate musty or unpleasant pet or cooking odors.

v    Fix any doors or sliding glass doors that stick.

Garage

v    Clean out the garage and dispose of anything you are not going to move.  Box up everything you won’t need until you’re in your new house.

v    Make sure the garage door opener is in good working condition.

Additional “Inside” Tip

v    Neatness makes a room look bigger.  Put excess furniture in storage.  Avoid clutter.

v    Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter.

v    Keep toys in the children’s rooms.  Bikes, in-line skates and skateboards should be make as inconspicuous as possible.

When your Home is Being Shown

v    Open draperies and shades to let in light.  This will make rooms appear larger.

v    Keep radios, stereos and TVs off or tuned way down.

v    Take pets outdoors when your house is being shown.  Children should be quiet.

v    Be courteous but don’t force conversation with potential buyers.  They want to inspect your house, not pay a social call.

v    Don’t mention furniture or furnishings you may want to sell unless asked.  Trying to dispose of such items via the potential buyer before they have purchased the house often loses the sale.

v    Let the Realtor discuss the price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyers.  He/she is eminently qualified to bring negotiation to a favorable conclusion.

v    Take your family away for the day, if your Realtor is holding an open house.