Resolve to Get Your House Ready to Sell

Even if You Aren't Ready to Sell

It's the time of year when celebrations give way to resolutions. Some people think about them a lot and are meticulous and make resolutions with step by step plans of how to achieve them - while others are hastily made after a night of too much celebrating!

This year, why not be deliberate and make a few house resolutions?

As a Real Estate Agent I see it so often with people who are selling a home - they do things to make improvements to their home to make it sell better such as:

© Jameswimsel | Dreamstime Stock Photos

• put on a fresh coat of paint
• deep clean to get the dust and grease out of corners
• purchase new appliances
• pressure wash the exterior
• replace light-bulbs and/or fixtures
• clean out and organize
• make cosmetic repairs

And, without fail, sellers say something along the lines of  "Why didn't we do this sooner?" They realize that they enjoy their home so much more with it being repaired, cleaned and organized.

This year, consider making a house resolution to get your house ready to sell - even if you aren't ready to sell! Make your home a better place to be - improve the Fung Shui, new flooring, a clean basement, donate the clothes that don't fit anymore that you've been hanging onto for six years, give away the baby toys, etc.

Not sure what improvements to make? Go to an open house or two - it will change your perspective. Then, go home and keep your eyes open! Instead of being in a rush to put the groceries away, get the dog out or the children to bed, look at your house - I mean, really look at it! Is there dated wallpaper that you just don't notice anymore? Is the paint chipping from the door trim? A torn screen? A wall where the door knob has pushed through? Make a list of the things you see because it won't be long before you don't notice them again (until you're ready to sell).

Take the list and use it to make your house resolutions! One fix a month, every other weekend? Trust me, it will feel good to cross them off and you'll begin to enjoy your home more because even though you may not see the "issues" you know they're there and they stay in the back of your mind as something that needs to be done.

Here's the bonus - when the day does come that you're ready to sell and you call me to come preview your home and give you a value estimate and market plan, you won't be saying, I know I need to clean out the closets, fix the leaking pipe and update the bathroom and be on a deadline to get it done.

Being ready to sell provides an amazing sense of power...you may not be in the market for a new house but if you just happen to see your dream house come up for sale, with your house fixes done or at least underway, you'll be in a position to sell and buy.

Need an open house to go to for inspiration? Join me for one:

• January 8 from 11 am to 1 pm at 7 Mary Street in Auburn
• January 8 from 2 to 4 at 903 Beverly Drive in Camillus
• January 15 from 2 to 4 pm at 2839 Jugg Street in Moravia

Feel free to reach out if you have questions about what should be done at your house to be ready to sell. Happy New Year! Make 2017 a great one!

Amber Spain-Mosher is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Masters in Skaneateles helping people buy and sell across Central New York's unique communities including Skaneateles, Marcellus, Spafford, Marietta, Sennett, Camillus, Baldwinsville, Lysander, Memphis, Fairmount, Syracuse, Geddes, Onondaga, LaFayette, Jamesville, Moravia, Owasco, Union Springs and more!