Call 518-505-8305 Delmar, NY 12054
5 Things to do Before You Sell              1. Get estimates from a reliable repairman on items that need to be replaced soon, a roof or worn carpet, for example. In this way, buyers will have a better sense of how much these needed repairs will affect their costs. 2. Have a termite inspection to prove to buyers that the property is not infested. 3. Get a pre-sale home inspection so you'll be able to make repairs before buyers become concerned and cancel a contract. 4. Gather together warranties and guarantees on furnace, appliances. and other items that will remain with the house. 5. Fill out disclosure form provided by your sales associate. Take the time to be sure that you don't forget problems, however minor. that might create liability for you after the sale.
10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable 1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspaper and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage. 2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior. 3. Keep everything extra clean. wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for. 4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows. 5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs. 6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they'll give buyers the impression that the house isn't well maintained. 7. Tidy your yard. cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway. 8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable. 9. Clean your gutters. 10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.
17 Open House Tips 1.  Hire a cleaning service, A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything else. 2. Pay attention to the outdoors. Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away. 3. Serve cookies, coffee and drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. but be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink doesn't fill up. 4. Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although the real estate salesperson will be on site during the open house, it's impossible to watch everyone all the time. 5. Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle. 6. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to find  them. 7. Leave, it's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there. 8. Add a touch of color. Use fresh or silk flowers to breathe life into the main rooms. A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. 9. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, fresh  towels, and fancy guest soaps. 10. Does it smell good? Set out potpourri or fresh baked goods for a homey smell. Make sure that there are no lingering scents from cigarettes or pets. 11. Help them envision living there. Set the table with pretty dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture themselves there. For example, in the basement lay out a chess game. 12. Beautify the entrance. Buy a fresh doormat with a pretty pattern or a clever saying. 13. Make the rooms feel bigger. Take one or two major pieces of furniture out of every room to create a sense of spaciousness. 14. Accentuate counter space. Put away kitchen appliances and personal bathroom items to give the illusion of more counter space. 15. Lay logs in the fire place. Or put a basket of flowers there if it's not in use. 16. Depersonalize the rooms. Put away family photos, mementos, and distinctive artwork. 17. The lawn should sparkle. Turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes to make the lawn sparkle.
Ten Tips to Speed Up Your home Inspection Sellers can speed their home inspection by following these suggestions. The inspection will go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing. 1. Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning. 2. Ensure pets won't hinder the inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from the premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home. 3. Replace burned-out bulbs to avoid a "light is inoperable" report that may suggest an electrical problem. 4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries. 5. Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely. 6. Remove stored items, debris and wood from the foundation. these may be cited as "conducive conditions" for termites. 7. Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawlspaces. 8. Unlock areas the inspector must access: attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawlspaces. 9. Trim tree limbs to 10 feet from the roof, and shrubs from the house, to allow access. 10. Attend to broken or missing items such as doorknobs, locks and latches, windowpanes, screens and locks, gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.
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