Atlanta Real Estate Tips

How To Sell Your Home

Marketing your home

As you prepare your home to be shown to prospective buyers, you must look at your home through a buyer's eyes.  Your Metro Brokers agent can help you spot the little things that buyers will notice - things they might otherwise use to try to negotiate a lower price.  Ask your agent for tips on how to prepare your home for sale.  Here's a sample:

• Unclutter all areas of your home to create an impression of spaciousness.
• Clean everything thoroughly.  Ask a friend to help you assess your efforts - especially in sensitive areas such as odor removal.
• Neutralize your home by making any improvements in neutral colors that appeal to any decorating scheme.  Your agent has helpful decorating information available - ask for tips from him/her.

In the yard

• Keep the lawn well-trimmed and edged.  Keep shrubs and trees trimmed.
• Put away lawn equipment, toys and other outdoor items.  Stack firewood neatly.
• Repair and paint or stain fences.
• Clean, paint and repair or realign gutters.
• Fix broken windows and screens, then wash.
• Wash down the exterior of the house, driveways and sidewalks.  Fix holes in pavement. 
• Check the roof and repair loose shingles or flashing.
• Make sure the entry light and doorbell work.
• Replace house numbers and welcome mat as needed.  Paint, stain or clean the door if needed.
• Brighten your landscaping with moveable, potted flowers.

In the home

• Discard all unused items to reduce clutter.
• Arrange clothes neatly in closets.  Limit storage on the floor and overhead shelves.
• Leave kitchen countertops as clear as possible.  Clean and organize cupboard interiors.
• Check walls for smudges, chipped paint and torn or loose wallpaper.  Make repairs and paint surfaces in neutral colors.
• Clean and organize the basement, attic and garage.  Launder window treatments and carpets.
• Replace worn, stained or smelly carpeting.
• Tighten loose doorknobs, switch plates, cabinets, drawer pulls and the like.
• Fix sticking doors and windows, and squeaking floors and steps.
• Fix leaky faucets, and remove water stains.
• Repair or clean caulking on tubs and sinks.
• Replace all lights with higher wattage bulbs and open all drapes.
• Arrange furniture to give an impression of spaciousness in each room.

Critical Elements of a Sale
Making it easier on yourself
Starting with you, the seller
Setting the price
Showing your home
An offer to buy
Closing and possession
Terms to know