Preparing Your Home :. NC Pittsboro: Cindy Brudvik Davis - RE/MAX Southern Advantage Pittsboro, Chatham County NC, Pittsboro NC

Preparing Your Pittsboro, Chatham County, or NC Triangle Home

PREPARING YOUR HOME TO SELL

Attracting buyers and obtaining the best price possible for your Pittsboro, Chatham County, or NC Triangle home requires some planning. It is important to ensure your house is in tip-top shape before putting it on the market because:

When buyers see two homes with the same price, they will choose the one in better condition.
When homes have great appeal to buyers, they tend to sell more quickly and can command a higher purchase price.
Your home will be shown the most during its first few weeks on the market. There are buyers out there who are waiting for the right house to come along, and you want your house to really shine for these buying prospects. After the first few weeks, you will be waiting for new buyers rather than the buyers waiting for you.

It is easy for some people to make their home look like a model, but for most of us it takes a little work. Here are some tips to make your home more appealing, without spending a lot of money:

THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR PITTSBORO, CHATHAM COUNTY, OR NC TRIANGLE HOME

Trim overgrown shrubs and trees. Bushes close to the house should be low enough that buyers can see your windows, and allow natural light to stream into your home.
Keep your lawn in good shape. Edge around sidewalks and driveways, and apply fertilizer if necessary to make the grass greener.
Weed your flower beds. If your garden area is sparse, plant a few flowers in bloom, and apply mulch to make the area appear tidy.
A 1998 University of Florida study showed that homes with tidy yards sold 15 days faster than homes with less tidy yards.
Your front porch should be inviting. Place potted flowers near the entryway, and apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door. Sweep away any cobwebs.
Pay close attention to the little things - replace a broken door bell, lubricate squeaky hinges, sweep the front porch and pathway, and put out an inviting welcome mat.
If your home has vinyl siding, power wash it.
Clean leaves and debris from gutters.
Wash windows inside and out, and wash window screens.
Store bicycles and outdoor toys neatly in the garage or out of sight.
Move garbage and recycle bins out of sight.

THE INSIDE OF YOUR PITTSBORO, CHATHAM COUNTY, OR NC TRIANGLE HOME

Clean your carpet and polish floors.
Wash the window sills, blinds, and window treatments.
Air out the house! You can't always tell, but if you have animals, strong cooking smells, or smoke, a buyer will notice. Open the windows and doors to let in some fresh air.
Replace burned-out light bulbs and clean light fixtures.
Remove clutter and clear off counters. Store away most of your small decorative items.
Clean out the garage and basement, so that they look as large as possible.
Organize closets. Remove and store off-season clothing or items you won't need while your house is listed for sale.
Rearrange furniture and remove excess furniture to allow rooms to appear larger.
Clean the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave.
Apply fresh grout or caulking around sinks, tubs, and showers if necessary.
Clear tables and counter tops. Store personal products out of sight. Remember - Clutter Eats Equity!
Take down posters and organize kids' rooms.
Clean your fireplace.
Polish woodwork.
Clean baseboards, light switch plates, and around door knobs.

Consider getting a home inspection. Especially in a buyer's market, it pays to take a proactive approach. Home defects or outdated systems can hold up a sale or result in price reductions later on. By getting a home inspection before putting your home on the market, you'll be able to address problems that might otherwise turn off savvy buyers.

Cindy Brudvik Davis, RE/MAX Southern Advantage, a full service real estate agent in Pittsboro, Chatham County, will work on your behalf to actualize your real estate and home ownership goals in the following NC Triangle towns and communities:

Apex (Chatham and Wake Counties)

Carrboro (Orange County)

Cary (Chatham and Wake Counties)

Chapel Hill (Chatham and Orange Counties)

Fearrington Village (Pittsboro in NE Chatham County)

Governor's Club (Chapel Hill, Chatham County)

Graham (Southern Alamance County)

Holly Springs (Wake County)

Morrisville (Wake County)

Pittsboro (Chatham County)

Raleigh and North Raleigh (Wake County)

RTP (Research Triangle Park)