Buying and Selling Tips
Checklist for the Home
Seller:
Normally each of us
need to make some basic repairs to increase the marketability of our
homes. Basically, freshness, neatness, and good working order are
keys to sales appeal. Look at your house as if you were seeing it
for the first time and be as critical as a buyer will be. Open up
closets & cabinets. What type of impression would you have as a
buyer? Repair or replace what strikes you as the least bit shoddy.
Your goal is to show the property in "move-in condition" - without
having to fix a thing. Use the following checklist to obtain this
goal.
You only get one shot
at first impressions. Make sure your home looks warm and inviting
from a car parked at the curb by using the following:
Make the most of your lawn &
landscaping:
- Fertilize &
water your lawn if needed.
- Mow your lawn at
least once a week. Edge around driveway, walks, and flowerbeds.
- Keep hedges
neatly trimmed.
- Plant blooming
flowers in visible locations.
- Make sure all
trash & animal droppings are removed.
- Rake your
leaves.
- Keep all
flowerbeds weeded.
Outdoor Home
Showmanship:
- Make your front
door & porch attractive. The front door should be bright, clean,
& attractive. Add a wreath, welcome mat, brass accessories, or
potted plant to help achieve this look.
- Fix Cracks in
walks and driveways. Also remove oil stains.
- Replace stray or
warped roofing shingles.
- Straighten
sagging gutters. Make sure gutters are cleaned out.
- PAINT THE
EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME. Paint the siding, windows, shutters,
doors, even your mailbox. Make everything look fresh, neat, warm
& inviting.
- Replace a worn
doorbell button.
- Polish door
brass.
- Replace a worn
doormat.
Indoor Home
Showmanship:
- Clean the
kitchen thoroughly. That includes the oven, exhaust hood, inside
the dishwasher & the refrigerator. Unclutter counters and
cabinets. Some buyers will judge the entire house by the
kitchen.
- PAINT THE
INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE. Few things increase the marketability and
give you a better return than new paint. Freshen any worn or
soiled walls and woodwork with neutral-toned paint or wood
polish.
- Polish wood
floors and stairs.
- Steam clean or
replace worn carpets.
- Repair dripping
faucets, crooked drawers, sticking doors.
- Tighten hardware
on cabinets, doors, and drawers.
- Repair or
replace worn appliances.
- Clean windows
inside and out. Make sure all screens are in place and all
cracked or broken panes have been replaced.
- Make the
bathroom sparkle. Clean all fixtures, polish chrome, and remove
any mold or mildew. Accessorize with baskets, scented candles,
and guest towels.
- Replace burned
out light bulbs.
- Clean out all
closets and storage areas. These areas need to look clean, neat,
and organized.
- Make sure the
garage, workshop, and attic areas are also clean, neat, and
organized.
- Use scented
candles, potpourri, or plug-in scents to make your home smell
good. Place these near the front door.
- Make sure pets
are not in the home when it is being showed.
- Play soft music
in the background.
When buying a home
people are looking for location, openness, resale value,
affordability, neighborhood, size, and atmosphere. How does your
home measure up?
By following this
checklist, your home should present a warm and inviting picture that
will increase it's marketability.
Checklist for the Home Buyer:
Buying a home is one
of the most exciting things that happens in a persons life. It can
also be one of the most stressful if you don't know what to look for
in a home. When looking for a home consider the following:
- Do you like the
floor plan? Will it fit in with your living habits today and for
several years to come?
- Where are the
lot boundaries? Do you want a survey?
- What is included
with the property? Determine what appliances, portable sheds,
etc are included with the property.
- Is the
neighborhood satisfactory? Are the streets and curbs in good
repair? Do the houses and yards look as if they are well cared
for?
- What are the
zoning restrictions? Zoning is determined by local governments &
the system designates the types of buildings and how they may
used in various areas of the community.
- Will you require
any contingencies to purchase the house? A contingency is an act
or event that depends upon certain conditions. For instance,
buying a home may be contingent upon getting a loan.
- How much are the
real estate taxes?
- What are the
energy costs for the home?
- Will it be
costly to maintain the house and yard?
- Are there any
easements? An easement is a legal agreement that gives specified
people the right to use another person's land for a certain
purpose, such as the right to cross the property, or to service
or install utilities.
- Most
importantly, can you afford the house?
What to look for in new
construction:
New construction is
changing all the time as builders try to adapt today's lifestyles
with home designs, building materials, and new technology. Buying a
new home is attractive because everything is new, from floors to
appliances. Energy efficiency is required by building codes and
buying a new home allows you to chose paint, paper, and carpeting.
Here are some tips for checking out good construction.
- Know your
builder. Get references. Talk with the owners of homes your
builder built. Are they satisfied with the home? Did the builder
take care of any repairs that needed to be done in the warranty
period in a courteous and timely manner? Check with the city
building inspectors. Does this builder have a reputation for
quality and have there been problems with city inspections? How
were any problems resolved?
- Look for good
carpentry throughout. This will include well fitted windows and
moldings, non-squeaking wood floors, and even wall surfaces.
- The basement
floors and walls should not have cracks or damp spots.
- Insulation
should measure as it was advertised.
- Everything
should be in good working order (faucets, heating/cooling
systems, electrical outlets, etc.)
- The yard should
be free of low, wet spots and the grading should slope away from
the home to allow for good drainage.
What to look for in a resale
home:
Homes with a past
have a special appeal. They have a lived-in, homey look. The
neighborhood and area services are already in place and will
probably remain the same for some time. The big thing to look for in
purchasing an existing home is wear and tear. Look for the following
when considering the purchase of an existing home.
- How firm is the
foundation?
- How solid are
sills, walls, floors, and ceilings?
- What kind of
plumbing was installed and when?
- What is the age,
shape and condition of the electrical system?
- What is the age,
shape and condition of the heating and cooling system?
- What are the
energy costs for this home?
- How well does
the insulation protect the indoors?
- What will it
cost you to remodel or make necessary repairs?
- What is the age
and condition of roofing shingles? Are there any known leaks?
If you have any
doubts about a home or for your peace of mind you can hire a
structural engineer or home inspector to give you a professional
opinion on a home's condition. Home inspectors will look over every
major part of a new or existing home and write a report that judges
the quality and condition of the home. The inspection covers the
following territory for the home's exterior: the foundation,
gutters, down spouts, siding (for warp), paint (for peeling &
blistering), windows and doors, roof, chimney, driveways, retaining
walls and walks, and proper grading. On the interior of the home the
inspector will look at: general structure for soundness, floors and
stairs, plumbing system, heating/cooling system, electrical system,
insulation, and any signs of wood destroying insects.
The report should
clearly explain any problems and have an estimate of repair costs.
Using a professional in this capacity can go a long way to giving
you peace of mind and assuring the enjoyment of your home. |
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