Selling Your House? Make it Sell-able

My job has me on the road daily. I cover a five county area that includes major metropolitan areas, the suburbs and what I call the boonies. The boonies include all those places where you drive down two lane roads with only dirt roads to turn off on. These are the ones where you drive for miles and see no stores, gas stations or other conveniences. I digress.

As I drive, I like to look around and see the sites, since staring straight ahead results in my dozing off. Generally, I notice all the things that I think my wife would like to see, as well as places I might be able to take my grandson for an afternoon. I also see a lot of homes for sale. Sometimes it’s just the signs that get my attention. I really like “For Sale By Owner”. Who else would be selling it?

Anyway, I also look at some of the homes behind the sign, if they are not miles from the road (as in the boonies). What I look at is the condition of, not only the homes, but the surrounding area as well. I see trash, junk, old cars, overgrown shrubs and general disarray around what would otherwise be a pretty nice place to live. On the other hand I have seen well kept areas with a home in need of a serious makeover.

Now if I was out looking for a home to buy as an investor, I might actually think that I could get a good deal. I could probably negotiate on the “needs repair” factor and then clean it up and flip it for some extra cash.  But if I was looking for a home that I was going to move into and raise the kids, I’d be concerned. If the occupants were not taking care of the home and/or the property around it, what might I find if I bought it. Who knows what kind of “critters” might have moved in and found themselves a home. How long have the needed repairs been needed? Have they gotten worse over a period of time? Maybe what was once only visible as a nick or spot has grown to deep rot or insect infestation.

Don’t get me wrong, there is probably a buyer for every home, regardless of condition, but it’s not me. I want the home that looks ”great” from the street and only goes down to “good” when I get close. When I go inside and take the tour I don’t want to notice things that will later become obvious. When I’m done I want to be thinking “this place is in good shape” and then if my wife likes it, we’ll buy it.

So I think that if you want to sell your house, you should make it sell-able. It really doesn’t take much to make the house “appear” inviting. Trim the trees, pull the weeds, cut the grass and throw away the junk (or hide it). BAM!! The outside is done. Now go inside and get ride of the clutter, clean the carpets and furniture and fix the things you’ve been meaning to fix. If you have a lot of things to throw away call me and I’ll sell it on eBay.

In short, if you want to sell your house, make it sell-able. It’s really not that hard, especially if you’ve always taken good care of it anyway. If you want, just tell me where you live and I’ll drive by and give you an honest assessment. If you want some professional advice visit www.SellYourHouse.TellMeAboutThat.com  and check out all the advice on doing it right.