Making Your Home Sale Ready


Simple and Inexpensive Home Improvements That will Help Sell Your Home

When you agree to list your home for sale, while it is still your home, it is also a commodity and should be viewed as one in order to launch a successful marketing campaign that will maximize its return.  In most cases, preparing your home for market doesn’t have to cost a lot and it doesn’t mean that you have to undertake major home renovation projects in order to sell it.  It makes good sense to clean up both the interior and exterior of your home before listing it for sale and with little effort, you can increase the perceived value of your home by respectable margin.

Perception is reality. If your home looks like it is worth more than others then the likelihood is that buyers will pay more for it as well.  We only get one chance to make a first impression so make it count.  The following is a list of simple and inexpensive things you can do to increase the perceived value of your home and make the perfect first impression.

Exterior of Home


The Front Door


Ambiance


Maximize Open Space


Maintenance


Keep it Clean

 

Contractors

If you've decided to do some renovations on your home to make it more sellable, it's time to look for a credible contractor. Before anyone begins work on your home, it is important to do your homework. 


1. Ask for Referrals

Your architect will make recommendations and your sales representative may be able to offer some suggestions as well.  Contact friends or neighbours who have had similar work done or perhaps you may be able to ask your local builder supply store for recommendations.


When you're interviewing contractors, ensure their credibility. Contact their references. Ask to see some samples of the contractor's work and speak to his clients to ensure that they were satisfied with the price, length of time in which the project was completed and overall, how the project was handled. Also, check with your local Better Business Bureau.

Once you have the names of a few contractors that look promising, arrange to get estimates from them. By arranging for three quotes you'll get a good idea of the costs and quality of work.

When going over the project with your contractor, ensure that he understands your needs and your budget. Each contractor will have a different idea on how to approach the work and they should inspect your home before giving an estimate. If contractors are bidding based on an architect's plans, be certain that they have detailed their approach to the job based on the drawings.

What's more, if there is a significant difference in the price, ask the contractors to explain their estimates. And keep in mind that the lowest price is not always the best. A price that's too low may mean that the contractor has undercut to get the project and then may submit additional project costs once the project is underway. As well, a high price doesn't always mean that you're getting gouged. The contractor may have budgeted for higher quality materials and may offer workmanship that is of an overall better quality.

In every case, before you sign the contract, be certain that it is as detailed as possible to the point of noting the specific finishes and brand names of the products to be installed.

 

2. Evaluating a Quotation