Nashville home owners, are you getting ready to list your home this fall? Or are you considering making improvements to your home? I am asked the question often ” what should I do to get my home ready to go on the market ? ” in today’s housing climate it is not only essential to make the best visual presentation possible it is essential that home owners maintain there home as well. Home buyers today are looking at more than just the aesthetics of a home, they are looking further into how well the home has been cared for.
As I consult with home owners who are considering listing their home, I tell them along with the cosmetic sprucing up to also give their home a ” tune up ” to check everything. This will give them a leg up on other home sellers and also prevent any major surprises when it comes time for a home inspection.
Some areas to focus on:
Roof and gutters: consider hiring a roofing contractor to check for loose shingles, rotting wood etc..clean gutters, make sure gutters are draining properly.
Chimney: If you have a fireplace, now is the time to have it inspected.
Basement: make sure it is free of debris, clean, consider a moisture barrier if you do not have one. 100% of buyers will look in your basement.
If you suspect you have any issues in your basement with mold, please do not try and take care of it yourself. There are some very reputable companies that do a great job with this. I am happy to refer you to one of them.
Windows: Check the seals, if there is chipping paint, you may want to fix this. If there are supposed to be screens make sure all are in place. Do all open and shut properly.
Electric: If there are any missing plate covers, replace them. Is everything working in your home?
Plumbing: make sure everything is in working order and that you have no leaking faucets or drains.
Exterior: Are the any lose boards on your deck or porch? Is all outdoor lighting working properly? Any peeling or chipping paint should be addressed.
All of these items can be done on a weekend or two and most can be done yourself if you choose.
If your are considering upgrades to your home or taking on a renovation consider taking on projects that will actually add value and hold there value in the coming years such as energy efficient upgrades or making Eco-friendly changes to your home that will not only save you money and reduce your carbon footprint but be more attractive to today’s home buyer.
Going ” green ” has been one of those terms that has been confusing for most people. For one being energy efficient or using green products in your renovation does not have to be outrageously expensive. If you are considering a kitchen renovation, instead of using granite counter tops, consider using reclaimed wood counter tops http://www.lpcorp.com/ which are durable, beautiful, Eco-friendly and will be attractive to today’s buyers. Other items that will increase your homes value and save you money are replacing your appliances with energy star certified appliances.
Of course the most important thing to keep in mind when taking on any renovation project budget and expectations. Make sure not to overimprove and to also be realistic about what you expect to recoup when you sale your home..if you plan on selling. I strongly advise talking with a Realtor in your market before you start a project to get an estimate of what homes are selling for.
For more information on green housing trends: http://www.realtor.org/archives/feat1200707
