Real Estate in the '818

So now you’ve decided to jump in the pool and list your house for sale. Easy peasy, right? Before you (or your realtor) throw the sign in the yard, let’s take a look at getting your house ready for prospective buyers in today’s market. A few years back, this exercise might not have been as important, but it is crucial in the competitive market to make your property stand out above the others. Your home must be presented as a house, devoid of all personal items that would detract a buyer from noticing the features and benefits.

The basics of home preparation can be summed up in one word: clutter. If your closet cannot fit another hanger without the entire rack crashing down or if you are not sure what type of kitchen counter you have due to the spice racks, bread makers and lighthouses found in your kitchen, then you probably are a good candidate for purging of your “stuff." Your kitchen should be clear of all “post its”  and magnets on the fridge (with the exception of mine of course), the counters should be completely clear. Think about it- if you can’t find a spot for the spatulas and wooden spoons, this tells a potential buyer that there is just not enough storage in the house. Line the cabinets with fresh paper, clean out old baking supplies and move the bottles of liquor that are sitting on top of the fridge.

Most will tell you that the exterior is the most important, and the curb appeal of your home can really make a difference in whether someone chooses to stop or continue driving past. Fresh paint on the exterior door, new mulch in the flower beds and trimming down the rhododendron that blocks the windows can make your house seem larger and more inviting. Also, think about seal coating your driveway. It is an inexpensive way to give that ‘new home look’ that you should strive for. Insider’s tip: When shooting the exterior pictures of the house, wet the driveway to give a gloss look, for even more dramatic results. I picked this up from watching too many Puff Daddy videos.

We continue this cleansing throughout the remainder of the house, which should include living space, bedrooms and bathrooms. Too much furniture in any room, or placed incorrectly can send the wrong message, or confuse a buyer as to the purpose of the space. For example, if you are using your dining room for an office, you’ll need to find another spot for your file cabinet. Family pictures, portraits of deceased pets and religious icons should be put away. I know this sounds harsh, but it reminds me of a listing from a few years ago, where some very proud parents prominently displayed a picture of their daughter above the fireplace. The daughter was a former Miss Rhode Island and the enlarged photograph (think big screen TV size) captured her beauty in the gown that made her famous. Truly, this was a stunning woman that would make any parent proud. The problem became that with every showing, I had to answer such questions as “Who is that?” “Does she live here?” and yes, even, “Is she single?” and not answer questions in relation to the new granite kitchen, spacious master bedroom, etc.

Finally, a little paint will go a long way. While I just love your dark magenta kitchen and wouldn’t change a thing, know that others are not as artistic as you and please think about changing that to a neutral tone. Again, let’s keep the focus on the qualities of the house. Many of the basics that I have described can be done by a homeowner for short money and little time. To take it a step further, speak to a realtor who sees homes on a daily basis and understand what the buyer of today gravitates to. You might even consider outside help from a professional, such as a decorator or interior designer. I can tell you from personal experience that the costs incurred from these services can make a difference in selling the home versus one that sits on the market.

Next week we’ll focus on a local neighborhood of interest and notable sales. In the meantime, if you have any questions, comments or would like to see a topic here, email me at homes@deanbenjamin.com

 Now get to work!