By Michael Golden, Co-Founder of @Properties
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 started in 2000 that has become the #1 real estate firm in the city of Chicago, and the second largest brokerage firm on Chicago’s North Shore.
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 buyers 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.”
If you are thinking about maximizing your home’s value and/or getting your home “Sale Ready,” Get Dwell is here to help.
- Our Get Dwell Whole Home Assessment includes an assessment by a licensed home inspector to identify your trouble areas and highlight any potential red flags for buyers. Knowing what you don’t know and having the time to fix any “deal breakers” beforehand can be key to maximizing your home’s value.
- A common mantra during the “Sale Ready” process is “why didn’t I do this before?”. If you are evaluating whether a potential home improvement project would add value to your home or if you have questions about what your house may need in order to get it “Sale Ready”, contact us here, we would be happy to help. Or, if you have a punch list of home repairs, schedule one of our handypersons to help you knock out your list!
- Your local family-owned hardware store has all the advice, tools and materials you need to make your house sale ready. For the best help, visit any of our hardware store partners.