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Getting Ready to Sell

5 Pre-Listing Tips

Many buyers today want move-in-ready homes, and will quickly eliminate an otherwise great home by focusing on a few visible flaws. Unless your home shines, you could endure many showings and open houses, and still not see an offer, or end up with a lower sales price.

Before the first prospect walks through your door, consider these tips for for getting your house ready to sell:

Get a Pre-Sale Inspection

Once you’re under contract, buyers will have a home inspection. As the seller, you can be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. For $300 to $400, an inspector will warn you about troubles that could make potential buyers walk. Rather than spend time on the market, and lose potential buyers, make the repairs before putting your home on the market.

Keep in mind that you may have to disclose what the inspection turns up, so if you can’t make the repairs, get estimates for the work and be prepared to price the house accordingly. Also, hunt down warranties, user manuals for your HVAC and appliances, and any other items that will remain with the house.

Perform Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance is part of home ownership, so if you’ve let some minor and/or inexpensive repairs lapse, take care of them prior to listing. Fix as many small problems as you can, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, dripping faucets. These may seem trivial, but left unattended, buyers will get the impression your house isn’t well maintained — and they’ll wonder what major repairs have also been ignored.

Freshen the Paint and Landscaping

The first thing potential buyers will notice when viewing a home is curb appeal — you only get one chance to make a first impression. At a minimum, be sure front and rear yards are free of weeds, plants and trees are trimmed, and dead vegetation is removed. Investing in landscaping upgrades will add to a property’s curb appeal and can help land a higher selling price.

Painting is a relatively easy and inexpensive fix, but it can really make a difference in how a home presents. Before listing, consider refreshing exterior and interior paint. Outside, garage doors are usually the first to fade in the Arizona sun. Inside, bold colors can be off-putting or distracting to potential buyers.

Be sure to use neutral colors when getting your house ready to sell. Using neutral colors like white, cream, beige, or light gray, will help potential buyers focus on the home, not the paint.

Clear the Clutter

Clear your kitchen and bath counters of just about everything. Clean your closets by packing up little-used items like out-of-season clothes. Pack up family photos, knickknacks, and wall hangings to depersonalize your home. Store the items you’ve packed offsite or in boxes neatly arranged in your garage or storage shed.

You’ll also want to get rid of any unnecessary furniture or decor that makes your space feel crowded. Taking a minimalist approach to furniture and decor will have the most positive impact on potential buyers.

Do a Thorough Cleaning

This should go without saying, but before you stage your home, you need to make sure every inch of your home is thoroughly and properly cleaned. A clean house makes a strong first impression that your home has been well cared for.

Spend an entire day cleaning your house from top to bottom. Wash windows and leave them open to air out your rooms. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Wash light fixtures and baseboards, mop floors, and give your stove and refrigerator a thorough once-over. Pay attention to details, too. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, clean inside the cabinets, and polish doorknobs. Don’t forget to clean your garage, too.

If cleaning isn’t your expertise, or if you can afford it, consider hiring a professional cleaning service.

Additional Resources:

Working With A Buyer's Agent

Selling with a Realtor®

Your home is your biggest asset. When it comes time to sell, you want to get it right.
Read more.

Pricing Your Home using a Comparable Market Analysis

Pricing Your Home

Reviewing comparable sales help determine a competitive selling price for your home.
Read more.

When staging your home, keep it bright and free of clutter.

Staging Your Home

Staging enables buyers to envision themselves living in the home. ‘
Read more.

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Client

TESTIMONIALS

"Fair, reliable, professional and a pleasant person to work with. Would not hesitate to recommend. All aspects of the sale were very professional. The materials to publicize the house were well done as were the photos. Russ’s familiarity with Quality Creek and the market were up to date and reliable. His manner was low key and very responsive. Easy to work with. Very helpful in staging the house. Excellent in all respects. Overall, a very easy person to work with and always professional."
- Joan H., Quail Creek
"Above & beyond! Russ is the consummate professional. His knowledge and expertise of the market are spot on. His marketing and attention to detail were perfect. He made sure every showing had all the information and detail our house had to offer. I highly recommend anyone looking to sell their home to trust it in the hands of Russ. "
- Janet A., Quail Creek
"Russ was perhaps the best Realtor I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. Always accommodating and very responsive … he guided me thru a maze of unusual issues selling my home and we closed right on time at the price I hoped for. I wouldn’t even consider anyone else if I had a home to sell, and I would urge you not to pick a realtor without at least meeting with Russ first."
- Patsy V., Quail Creek
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Russ Fortuno, Associate Broker

I'm a Southern Arizona native and Quail Creek resident. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Quail Creek, you’ll experience unsurpassed service and professionalism at all stages of your real estate transaction. I welcome the opportunity to assist in your next home sale or purchase.
Meet Russ

Tierra Antigua Realty

18745 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Ste. A105
Green Valley, AZ 85614
(520) 333-0446
Contact Russ

This site is not affiliated with Robson Communities or the Quail Creek Country Club Property Owners Association.
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