Sue Brite, Realtor, Bradenton, Florida, Manatee County, Coldwell Banker

Seller's Tips


Getting Your House Ready to Sell 1. House vs. Home – Your house should be thought of as a marketable commodity. Your goal is to get buyers to see it as their potential home, not yours. 2. De-personalize – Put family photos, knick-knacks, and souvenirs in a box and remove from the home into a separate storage unit. Seeing personal items in a house shatters buyers’ illusions about owning the house themselves. 3. Remove Clutter – Be brutal. Remove everything off the kitchen counter. Put dishes, pots and pans that you rarely use in a box and store with your personal items. Homebuyers want to be sure there is enough room for their “stuff” and jam-packed drawers, cupboards and counters don’t promote an image of plentiful storage space. Do this with closets, garages, and other storage areas both inside and outside the house. Remember that too much furniture in a room also adds clutter. 4. House Interior Tips – Do not spend a lot of money on anything. Unless there are repairs that an inspection will require fixing, like plumbing leaks, spend your time and energy on cleaning. All sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If you do replace the carpet, choose something inexpensive and in a neutral color. Painting is the best investment. Choose off-white to make rooms look spacious and bright. Make sure windows and doors open and close easily. Repair or replace broken floor tiles and cracked windowpanes, but remember, you’re not fixing the house up for you. Your goal is to have as few negative impressions on those who may want to buy your property, not to remodel. 5. Odor Control – You have become used to your pet’s odors but they are immediately noticeable to other people. If you smoke, try to minimize smoking indoors while showing your home. Sprinkle carpet freshener periodically and purchase an ozone spray that does more than mask odors. 6. Landscaping – Curb appeal is a buyer’s first impression. Walk across the street and take a look. Buy a few bushes and plant them if need be, but do not buy trees. Immature trees don’t add much and mature ones are expensive and you won’t get back your investment. Buy mature, colorful flowers and plant them. They add color and a good impression. Keep your lawn neatly cut, edged, mulched and watered. 7. Exterior of House – Painting is often a good investment if the house looks faded or tired. The paint color should fit in with your neighborhood. If your house has an old or leaky roof, you’ll have to disclose it, but why not see what the home inspector says as far as replacing it. Make sure the front door area looks inviting. Get a new door mat and remove the plaque with your family’s name on it. Make sure the key works properly so the agent showing your home can easily usher in potential buyers.

	Sue Brite, REALTOR®
	Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Inc.
7347 52nd Place East, Bradenton, FL 34203
Direct: 941-780-5599
Toll-Free: 888-292-0228 / Office: 941-739-6777
Fax: 941-739-6670
E-mail: Sue@SueBrite.com