Information for House Sellers
So you have decided to sell your house. Stop and think about why you are selling. Are you moving to
a bigger or smaller home? Are you moving to a better location? Are you moving because of a new
job or a transfer? Are you retired and moving to your retirement home?
In many cases you want to sell this house and buy a new home. This section of the site is devoted
to the process of selling a house but you should think about why you are selling, the shortcomings of
your current home, and what you need in a new home.
Now is a good time to look at financing the new home and checking your credit record to make sure
it is clean. With the spread of identity theft you can never be sure what your credit record looks like
and cleaning it up can take some time. Once you start the process of selling your home and moving
you don't want delays caused by incorrect records.
Let's start preparing your house for the sale.
Many buyer are now using the Internet to search for houses that meet their criteria. Once they find a
few houses they drive by to see them from the outside and check out the neighborhood. Then if they
are still interested in what they see from the street they call for a showing. Other home buyers that
work with a Realtor also get a first impression of your home from the outside. This first impression
is called "curb appeal". Since work on the exterior of your home can be dependent on the weather I
recommend you look at that first and save the rainy days for the interior.
Go out to the street and look at your house and the houses around it. Look at the lawn, landscaping,
the driveway, and the exterior of the house and garage including the roof and gutters. Does your
house look as good or better than the others around it? Make a list of the items that could improve
the look of your house. At night turn on all the inside and outside lights and take another look from
the street. Are there any other things you can see now? Have that nosey neighbor take a critical look
at the house and get another perspective. If all the houses look the same then a few more flowers to
add color may be just the ticket.
The following list is something to seriously consider. You will want to prioritize this list to make sure
you have the time and money to complete the most critical items. Remember we have not got to the
interior of the house yet.
The Exterior of the House
As you look at the interior and exterior of your home for problems you may consider hiring a home
inspection professional. Most buyers will hire a home inspector as a contingency in the purchase
offer and this could help you find and fix problems before the house is listed. This can also be used
as a selling tool, however, any defects found by the inspector and not fixed have to be disclosed and
could drive away potential buyers.
a bigger or smaller home? Are you moving to a better location? Are you moving because of a new
job or a transfer? Are you retired and moving to your retirement home?
In many cases you want to sell this house and buy a new home. This section of the site is devoted
to the process of selling a house but you should think about why you are selling, the shortcomings of
your current home, and what you need in a new home.
Now is a good time to look at financing the new home and checking your credit record to make sure
it is clean. With the spread of identity theft you can never be sure what your credit record looks like
and cleaning it up can take some time. Once you start the process of selling your home and moving
you don't want delays caused by incorrect records.
Let's start preparing your house for the sale.
Many buyer are now using the Internet to search for houses that meet their criteria. Once they find a
few houses they drive by to see them from the outside and check out the neighborhood. Then if they
are still interested in what they see from the street they call for a showing. Other home buyers that
work with a Realtor also get a first impression of your home from the outside. This first impression
is called "curb appeal". Since work on the exterior of your home can be dependent on the weather I
recommend you look at that first and save the rainy days for the interior.
Go out to the street and look at your house and the houses around it. Look at the lawn, landscaping,
the driveway, and the exterior of the house and garage including the roof and gutters. Does your
house look as good or better than the others around it? Make a list of the items that could improve
the look of your house. At night turn on all the inside and outside lights and take another look from
the street. Are there any other things you can see now? Have that nosey neighbor take a critical look
at the house and get another perspective. If all the houses look the same then a few more flowers to
add color may be just the ticket.
The following list is something to seriously consider. You will want to prioritize this list to make sure
you have the time and money to complete the most critical items. Remember we have not got to the
interior of the house yet.
The Exterior of the House
 | The lawn should be mowed and leaves raked. If you have time reseed or re-sod bad areas | |
| and apply weed & feed. A well kept lawn shows pride of ownership. | ||
| Cut dead limbs from trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed to improve the | |
| look of the house instead of hiding it. | ||
| If the house is in an area of newer homes without much landscaping you may consider | |
| adding additional flowers, shrubs and trees to set it off. | ||
| The front door and entryway are the buyers first impression going into the house. Repaint, | |
| re-stain or clean the door if needed and polish the doorknob and any hardware. Make sure the doorbell and outside light works. A new welcome mat makes a good impression. | ||
| Wash or paint the exterior of the house if needed. | |
| Definitely wash the windows outside so sunlight can show off the inside of the house. You | |
| may also consider removing the screens if they are older but keep them handy in the garage so buyers know you have them all. | ||
| Clean the gutters and down spouts. Gutters full of leaves can give the impression that other | |
| home maintenance items may not have been done. Make sure the down spouts are set so water runs away from the house. | ||
| Repair loose shingles and while you are on the roof take down that rusty old TV antenna if | |
| you now have cable or satellite TV. | ||
| Repair cracks in the sidewalk and the driveway. Remove oil stains from the driveway and | |
| garage floor. | ||
| Put the lawnmower, garden tools, and other items in the garage or shed. Move the garbage | |
| cans out of sight. | ||
| Make sure outdoor lighting works and if you don't have any consider installing it. Many buyers | |
| drive by homes in the evening to check out the home and the neighborhood. While you have the house listed for sale leave the outside lights on in the evening. | ||
| Finally, make sure the walkways, driveway, deck, patio and lawn are safe and free from | |
| obstacles. If it is winter time make sure the walkways are free of snow and ice. You do not want a buyer to fall or view your property as unsafe. Also understand that if your Realtor is hosting an open house that it is your responsibility to shovel snow, not theirs. |
As you look at the interior and exterior of your home for problems you may consider hiring a home
inspection professional. Most buyers will hire a home inspector as a contingency in the purchase
offer and this could help you find and fix problems before the house is listed. This can also be used
as a selling tool, however, any defects found by the inspector and not fixed have to be disclosed and
could drive away potential buyers.
Peoria Area Homes Sellers Guide:
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Sponsored by Dave McMillin, Jim Maloof/Realtor®, East Peoria, IL
Copyright© 2007-2008 Greater Peoria Homes
Copyright© 2007-2008 Greater Peoria Homes
www.greaterpeoriahomes.com
SELLERS GUIDE
