If anyone knows a thing or two about getting your home in sale-ready condition, it’s Michael Golden. Golden is the co-founder and co-owner of @properties, a real estate company that in 10 years has grown from a small but forward-thinking business into one of Chicagoland’s largest and most progressive brokerages. With approximately 900 agents and the #1 market share in the city, @properties is now increasing its presence in the North Shore with a large office in Evanston, a satellite office in Winnetka and plans for a strong Highland Park presence on the drawing board.
So what advice does Golden have for local homeowners hoping to prep their homes for a speedy sale?
“Use your Realtor as an objective third-party,” he says. “When you’re the homeowner, you don’t see things having to do with your home the same way other people do. A Realtor can help you look at your home with fresh eyes and see problems that have to be addressed.”
Chief among those problems? Those little items that have probably languished on your household “to-do” list for ages.
“Small leaks, water stains, peeling paint, windows that don’t open and close correctly — anything that would make a potential buyer fearful,” Golden says. “People tend to see small imperfections as an indication of bigger problems beneath the surface. It pays to go all the way when making these repairs. Just because someone might repaint after they move in doesn’t mean they’re not looking carefully at the condition of your walls and ceilings.”
Clutter is another potential stumbling block for buyers. Golden recommends clearing out or organizing all the detritus that can keep a house from feeling airy and spacious, like stacks of magazines, kids’ toys, countertop messes, even extraneous furniture.
“You want your house to look homey, but roomy, too,” he says. “I have kids, and I know how things accumulate. But you want people to be able to visualize themselves in the house, and when there’s a lot of clutter it’s hard to do that.”
Last, Golden says, is considering the curb appeal of your home. From landscaping to gutters, paint to windows, the outside of your home is the first impression most buyer get.
“Again, it’s about identifying items that may cause concern and correcting them,” he says. “Clean gutters, clean windows, a nice, new paint job — those are things that can put a buyer’s mind at ease and make a showing a success.”