1. Have a pre-sale home inspection.
Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home
inspection. An inspector will be able to give
you a good indication of the trouble areas that
will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll
be able to make repairs before open houses
begin.
2. Organize and clean. Pare
down clutter and pack up your least-used items,
such as large blenders and other kitchen tools,
out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise
equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes
neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean
the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures,
and baseboards to make the house shine.
3. Get replacement estimates.
Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our
or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof
or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would
cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to
do it yourself. The figures will help buyers
determine if they can afford the home, and will
be handy when negotiations begin.
4. Find your warranties. Gather
up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals
for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher,
and any other items that will remain with the
house.
5. Spruce up the curb appeal.
Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your
home. As you approach the front door, what is
your impression of the property? Do the lawn and
bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address
clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants
framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from
cracks and impediments?
What
is Appraised Value?
Appraisals provide an
objective opinion of value, but it’s not an
exact science so appraisals may differ.
For buying and selling
purposes, appraisals are usually based on market
value — what the property could probably be sold
for. Other types of value include insurance
value, replacement value, and assessed value for
property tax purposes.
Appraised value is not
a constant number. Changes in market conditions
can dramatically alter appraised value.
Appraised value doesn’t
take into account special considerations, like
the need to sell rapidly.
Lenders usually use
either the appraised value or the sale price,
whichever is less, to determine the amount of
the mortgage they will offer.
