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 How To Get Your Black Hills Home Ready To Sell

 

1. Assuming that all of the major systems such as heating, air conditioning, hot water, appliances, etc. are in working order, you’re ready to work on the “impression” aspects of your home.  Good maintenance and upkeep really pay off.  Don’t hesitate to make small cosmetic repairs.  Remember, everything shows to someone who is about to make such a large financial investment.  Take nothing for granted!


2. When a potential buyer pulls up to your house, their first impression will stay with them throughout his house hunting.  The first impression must be good and strong.  The exterior paint should be perfect.  Repaint, if necessary.  Fresh paint always makes a house look new.  Make sure the grass is cut and hedges, bushes, walkways and shrubs are trimmed and cleaned.  Clean up any paper or other trash that might have blown into the yard.  Also, if it’s winter, make sure that the drive and walk are shoveled and kept free of ice and snow.  If the buyer has a bad impression of the outside of the house, you have little chance of impressing him with the inside.


3. The inside of your home should be the real selling point.  Rooms should be neat, clean and spacious. You can make rooms look larger by removing excess furniture and clutter.  Cabinets and closets should also be clean.  Pack nonessentials items.  By doing so you accomplish two things-one is to make your cabinet space look much larger and the other is to get some of the drudgery of packing out of the way early

4. See that any cracks in the plaster or paints are repaired.  Any woodwork such as trim, bookcases, stair railings, etc. should be cleaned and refinished, if necessary.  Carpets should be shampooed.   Bathrooms should be cleaned and polished, especially the chrome and tile.  The kitchen should be clean and homeylooking.  Make sure that floors and windows are shining.  Drapes should be cleaned.  If you have a basement, see that it is dry.  Leaky basements are a sure hitch in any sale.  If you have gas lights or a gas grill, make sure that they’re in working order.  Make the interior of your home sparkle.  It must look well taken care of and homey.  Neatness is the byword here too. 


5. Nothing is more offensive to prospective home buyers than odors and messes associated with pets.  If you have a cat, it is a good practice to clean your cat’s litter box once a day.  Dog owners should make sure that their yards are clean too.

 

Don’t hedge or take short cuts when preparing your house.  If the prospective buyer even suspects that you are trying to cover up a problem, you can count him out as a buyer.  Be honest with people who ask probing questions.  If you have nothing to hide, your honesty could be the best selling tool you have.

 

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