Get ready! With the spring sale season just around the corner, now is the time to get your home ready to put on the market. As a Minnesota Realtor, I have seen many homes go on the market that simply are not ready. This decreases the amount a buyer is willing to pay buy thousands of dollars.

These are my 10 ten ideas for sellers to get their homes in top condition for a quick sale.

1. Make the Front Entrance SPARKLE!

You need to make a great first impression! A coat of paint and a new brass kick plate or doorknocker says “welcome home”. Remove any personalized doorknockers or signs from the front of the home. Remember to trim bushes and shrubs and keep walkways clear. A blooming plant or festive wreath is a nice touch.

2. Organize the Kitchen

Kitchens sell homes-make yours appear more large and inviting! Clean off counters and organize cupboards and drawers. Store or pack seldom used appliances and large pans. Consider replacing the counter if it is worn or has an unusual color. Repair or replace leaky kitchen faucets and dated florescent light fixtures.

3. Reduce Clutter Inside and Out

Sort out E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! Throw away anything you do not need and organize the rest. Too much stuff? Consider an off-site storage facility during the move. Donate unwanted items to a local charity. Campers, boats and old cars should be parked at a different location.

4. Clean

Your home should be spotless and smell clean too! Remember to give attention to the yard and garage too. Buyers want to see the size of your garage not where you dumped all the stuff from the house. If you have a dog, make certain that the yard has been picked up before every showing and it is completely free of debris.

5. Paint

Light neutral colors make small rooms appear larger. That cute personalization you painstakingly painted on your child’s wall is a paint-over project to a new buyer. Do them a favor and paint over before the first showing. Remove dated wallpaper and borders and paint walls. Use premium quality paint and remember to patch holes properly and tape woodwork prior to starting. A sloppy paint job can be more detrimental to your bottom line than no paint job at all.

6. Update Bath

If cleaning and painting cannot help a dingy bath, consider replacing vanity, counter and sink. Look at the faucets and light fixtures. If they are vintage, consider replacing. Also consider installing new flooring or buy nice plush floor mats to make the bathroom cozy. If the tub is nasty and stained, look into having it resurfaced.

7. Make Minor Repairs

Tighten knobs, fix leaky faucets, oil squeaking hinges, replace dirty filters, repair cracked windows and holes in screens. If it can be fixed, fix it! Buyers do not pay top dollar for a “project house”.

8. Fix Roof Leaks

One tiny water stain on the ceiling will cause a buyer to question the entire roof. Find and fix the leak at the source. This may be the time to call in an expert. Repair any ceiling damage. Disclose any information on repairs made to potential buyers.

9. Explain a Wet Basement

Do what you can to make repairs but be prepared to explain all existing and repaired problems to the potential buyers. Never try to cover signs of a wet basement.

10. Exterminate

Call a professional to get rid of the pests, repair any damage, and allow time for any pesticide smells to dissipate before showing. One bug, dead or alive, can make a bad impression on a buyer. If you have periodic mice, remove the traps and bait before showings. Again, disclose any pest infestations to potential buyers before the sale.

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Planning to purchase a house should start long before you actually purchase a home. Home acquisition is a serious endeavor. That is why you have to make sure that you do not lose it to foreclosure. Unfortunately, most homeowners today are experiencing this.

In order to have a smooth sailing purchase of a house, include it in your long-term plan. You do not have to purchase a house immediately because you landed your dream job. Improve your savings first. This will be your financial cushion if anything should happen that would affect your finances.

Invest more and do not rely on one job. It would be better if you have other means of monthly income. Look for online jobs or make business online. The internet has provided several opportunities for you to earn money. The great thing about it is that you do not have to quit your day job.

Aim for the kind of house you want. Make sure that it is realizable as well. It is all right to dream of living in a mansion. However, when it comes to the real thing, work for the house you will be able to afford. Gilbert Homes is a great start.

Your credit record has to be clean. Keep in mind that lenders will check this in the future. Settle everything you need to settle on time. Make sure that you monitor it regularly as well. Most people are not able to qualify for a loan because someone else used their credit and they were not able to correct it right away. If there are any problems with your credit information, dispute it immediately. Do not wait for the time when you will actually need it before attending to it.

It is also better if you study how home purchasing process works. Start acquiring list of approved lenders in your locality and compare their interest rates. You can also search for this online or check your phone book in the mortgages section. This way, you do not have to hire a mortgage broker in the future. You can also start looking for resources that will give you listings of house and its price range. Take note of people to contact in case you want to find out more about the location.

Study how real estate agent does it so that you can manage to negotiate with the sellers in the future. You will be able to understand it better when you finally decide to buy a house.

You can also check out competent house inspectors. They will make sure that you get to transfer to a problem-free house. If not, at least you will learn how to lower the price.

If you wish to acquire a Gilbert Homes, house in the future, better start planning it today. Include it in your monthly savings and make sure that you keep a clean credit record. It would also be advantageous to learn about the acquisition process ahead of time so that you will not need to hire someone to do things for you in the future.

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