Shirley Kistler's Real Estate Blog: Serving your Real Estate Needs in Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado Counties

We have received questions from many concerned sellers on what is required of them when preparing their home for prospective buyers.  Due to the current economy we are seeing a large increase in the number of short sale homes available for sale.   Sellers in a short sale situation are concerned about the costs to prepare their home for sale so that it doesn’t sit on the market for a long time.  They also ask what needs to be done in order to fix their home up for sale for the least amount of money.

Here are a few inexpensive tips that will help you stage and sell your home more quickly:

• Wipe down all of the walls and outlets of dirty fingerprints
• Shampoo Carpeting
• Wash the Windows and Screens
• Vacuum and Dust often
• Remove all books from bookcases
• Pack up the knickknacks
• Clean off everything on kitchen counters
• Put items used daily in a small box that can be stored away when not in use
• Re-Organize Closets and Pantry
• Make Minor Repairs – Touch up any holes, scratches or damage to the walls and if you have touch up paint laying around, touch up these areas
• Keep Lawns Mown and Watered
• Trim Shrubs & Plant Colorful Flowers
• Air out House of Musty or Pet Odors
• De-Personalize – Pack up personal photos and heirlooms.  Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts and you want them to see the home.
• De-Clutter – If you don’t need it, sell it, donate it or throw it away
• Get a head start on packing, you will eventually need to do it anyway

Are you still on the fence trying to decide whether to keep on renting or take the leap into home ownership?   You may never again experience these low home prices combined with the lowest interest rates ever again.     Check out this handy calculator to help you see the advantages of home ownership. (CLICK HERE)  

If you are still unsure, you should contact a REALTOR to discuss the advantages of purchasing a home and find out how much of a loan you can qualify for. 

Don’t be left sitting on the fence saying should’ve…..would’ve…..could’ve  Act now and contact your Real Estate specialist.