"Your Huntington Beach Realtor® "
Orange County - Huntington Beach - Real Estate & Mortgage Services
Simon@VisitSimonSays.com - 714-968-6868 - Sherry@VisitSimonsays.com
Simon & Sherry Faris 19744 Beach Blvd. #313 Huntington Beach, Ca 92648
Please Call Night or Day Tel 714 968-6868 Fax 714 968-6898
Selling Tips
As a Huntington Beach Orange County Realtor; In my opinion, the most challenging part of any real estate transaction is selling your current house in a timely manner!
How can you make your home stand out from the others? How do you get your home ready to sell? These are the questions I am asked as a Realtor / Real Estate agent.
A home inspection is recommended,and could cost the seller a few hundred bucks. If and when this is done, you will have an idea of what a potential buyer may want to have repaired or credited to proceed with the purchase. Also, if the buyer finds something to cancel the sale over that you were not aware of; it could make your property look distressed. So it is nice to have everything buttoned up before the sale, if possible. Be advised though, as a seller, you must disclose your findings to the potential buyer, even if you do not agree with the inspection findings. Always disclose everything. Most inspections are basically a list of what is wrong with the property or what looks to be a hazard. Some items in the report can be very intimidating, others are basic items. However with a handyman , most everything can be addressed before you show your potential buyers your home. It’s a small investment for such a deciding factor. Here are some ideas that can help with the Marketing / Sale of your Real Estate.
EXTERIOR
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Landscaping is one of the most overlooked, yet inexpensive items that elevate curb appeal.
- Old cars and boats can be an eyesore sometimes. Try garaging them or storing them away from the property if they are not being used.
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You may want to consider removing that old basketball hoop if its appearance doesn't’t add to the attractiveness of the home.
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Trimming the shrubs back or cutting back that big overgrown tree will make your home look bigger. (Remember this is real estate in Orange County; "buyers want as much as they can afford")
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Freshen up the trim with some paint and give other parts a power wash. You can use either a rental power washer or a small garden hose attachment found in most gardening centers.
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A great way to finish off the property is installing rain gutters. They cover up the unfinished rafter tails and help accentuate the trim. Remember you need to stand out for that curb appeal.
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If you have any broken fences, fix them. Any handyman can mend one for reasonably cheap. Your home will be more appealing and less intimidating. Every buyer wants the property line to be specific and assured.
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If your front door looks worn out, touch it up with a little paint. You can have the door painted or refinished for around $300 bucks, or you can do it yourself a lot cheaper. If the door knob is worn, install a new lock set. The door is the first thing the buyer touches.
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Replacing your garage door really updates the front of the home. You can look for a special around $600 for a new style door.
INTERIOR
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Wash the windows! You would detail your car before you traded it in wouldn't’t you?
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How about the carpet and paint? These two items are the most asked questions. The more work your property needs the more the buyer may want a discount. Unfortunately, it is not always within reason. A buyer may ask for a $10,000 credit when $4,500 would have done the job.
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When painting, I recommend using neutral colors. They go with most anyone’s taste.
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If your Window dressings are worn out or dingy, you may want to upgrade them to an inexpensive blind.
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Clutter can be the number one turn-off to buyers. Most people are moving for space, and if you do not emphasize the space you may be overlooked. If you have personal pictures, store them away. Let the potential buyer visualize their family in the home, not yours.
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If your home happens to be an older home in an established community and has 30" hallways, remove any furniture and wall hangings in that area. Although we enjoy them in our homes, as potential buyers herd through your property and are noticing the confined spots, such as a narrow hallway, making more space can make all the difference. These spaces can seem larger if the walls are cleared as well.
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The kitchen is a costly area of the home, but it can be upgraded for very little money. Try a coat of oil-based paint on the cabinets. If you have ceramic sinks, try re-glazing the sink and adding new faucets. That looks pretty nice and is about the least amount of money to invest for return.
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Appliances run anywhere from $350 and up. If your stove has just about had it, you may want to consider replacing it.
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Clear off counter space in your kitchen
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If you do not use an appliance a lot, box it and store it away. This will help open up your counter-space and will also make it more noticeable.
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Bathrooms are often the most scrutinized area of the home. If you have, or had water damage, now is the time to fix it properly if you have not done so already.
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Remember, moisture causes mold. Mold has become a top ten public enemy to home buyers and renters. There are Licensed Mold companies around they can be found easily on the internet or local Pages.
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For the bathroom, switch out that old vanity for a new one. They usually cost around $350 to $450, pending on selection.
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A coat of that oil based paint might just work as well in the bathroom. Remember the glazing as mentioned above for the kitchen? Well, they do that on bathtubs too.
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In any play rooms, or rooms with kids’ toys, buyers know you live there, don't worry about that stuff. However, if you have big bulky furniture in a smaller room you may think about condensing them down and removing if possible. Examples are car beds and toy boxes. Pull a few select toys and grab a smaller box and remove the larger one. It is only temporary and the kids' will understand. After all they get a new home too!
GARAGE OR STORAGE AREA
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Garages are great if you have one! They are a big selling point. If you are going to take all the extra stuff that I mentioned above and put it in the garage, O. K. First things first this is a great time to call a Realtor and ask for a Garage Sale, it’s a good time to interview a Realtor as well. Remove all the stuff you will not be taking with you, after all, you’re moving! If you can’t find it in yourself to get rid of all your prized possessions, or ‘junk’ according to you friends, rent a storage container. There are Companies that will drop off a container in front of your home and you can fill it up, and they will take it away. After all, those Buyers are going to want to see the garage. If you have the Water Heater in there make sure there is access to it and it is well maintained. If you do not have it strapped get it strapped. Straps are cheap and can be purchased at any larger hardware store.
These tips may seem a little overwhelming as you read the preparations for getting your home ready to sell. Call a Realtor before you embark on all this. Lot of times a seller will spend money on what the buyer may not notice, so your money may be best spent on something else.
As a Realtor we are exposed to this every day. The average homeowner may sell their home up to 4 to 5 times in their whole life. I've handled 7 houses in one month, and I can help you too! Get some experience on your side. Call us direct night or day we are just a phone call away.
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