10 "To-Dos" That Will Help Your Home Sell Faster

So you've found the perfect home builder in Utah and you can't wait to get started building your new home. What's the hold up? For many people, it's selling your current home.

Many new homeowners that I've worked with at McArthur Homes need to sell their old home and they want it to sell quickly for as much money as possible. What they aren't sure of is how much they should spend getting it ready to sell. Here are some great tips that our preferred lender, Scott Smith found:

From an advice piece in the Wall Street Journal, we learn of 10 basic home improvement projects that will help your home have better showings. The advice requires almost no technical skills, and the projects can be tackled in a weekend.
The theme? Handle your home's delayed maintenance.

1. Repair or remove screen doors with holes and tears
2. Pressure wash windows, sidewalks, and siding
3. Paint your front door and polish the doorknob
4. Pull weeds, seed bare spots, and lay down mulch
5. Touch up holes, dings and cracks in paint
6. Clean grout and re-caulk sinks, bathtubs and showers
7. Buy new cabinet hardware
8. Fix leaky faucets and toilets
9. Spray lubricant on squeaky doors
10. Get clutter into storage and out of the way

Now, you'll notice that none of these projects can be considered "major". By contrast, each is minor; they're the items you'd add to your to-do list for work on "another day". However, they're extremely important for a home that's about to be listed.

Here's why. A prospective buyer doesn't notice that the above repairs were made. He only notices if they weren't made. When a buyer sees ripped screens or chipped paint in your home, it makes him wonder what else hasn't been cared for. This is the why you should also hire an exterminator prior to selling your home. If a buyer spots a trail of ants in your home, it's unlikely you'll get an offer.
You don't need to spend big bucks to get your home ready for sale, but you may have to apply elbow grease. The good news is that time spent up-front can be worth it in the end. Homes that show better tend to sell faster, and at higher prices.


If you have questions about this post, or you would like to be pre-approved for a new home, please visit my site, my online loan application, or call Scott Smith at 801-209-3850 for a quick phone consultation.

Happy fixing!

Scott