Last Updated on Saturday, 01 November 2008 11:34 Written by Carl Johnson

Make your home stand out from all the others! Now more than ever it is very important to put your home into the best condition possible. This may mean spending several thousand dollars if you have not been keeping up on routine maintenance.

Home sales in the Souhegan Valley of New Hampshire are down about 30% from 2006. There are more homes on the market and buyers are not in a hurry to purchase. The reality is, that selling a home is getting harder.

Make your home stand out from all the others! Now more than ever it is very important to put your home into the best condition possible. This may mean spending several thousand dollars if you have not been keeping up on routine maintenance. Some things you may be able to do yourself, but some tasks are better left to the professional!

The Interior

Get rid of all the clutter- All the nick knacks you have out add little to the appeal of your home and make the home look smaller than it is.

Paint- There is no better return on an investment than going through the home and painting to give the home a fresh bright appearance. It takes years off the perceived age of the home. Don't try to do this yourself unless you are really, and I mean REALLY, good at painting. I have seen too many examples of homeowners trying to be a painter. Believe me, people can tell a good job from a bad one. Hire a professional!

Flooring- Take a good hard look at your floors, especially carpeting. Carpeting can tend to get dirty and dingy over time. Ask a friend or your Realtor® if they need to be replaced because you have gotten used to seeing them and you may not be able to see them the way they really are. Are they stained? Do they need to be restretched? Consider replacing them to give your home a bright clean look. For wood floors consider a good clean up and maybe a fresh coat of sealer. Again, consult a pro!

Repairs- Take a look around and repair anything that may be broken. Doors should open and close easily and latch securely. Drywall should be patched and painted where necessary. Faucets should not leak. Replace screens in the windows if torn. Take a look around and fix all those things you've been meaning to attend to.

Service your heating/cooling system- Get the heating and cooling system checked out by a specialist and have the service tag attached to the unit. Fix any leaks and replace the filters.

The Outside

Remember that first impressions count. A buyer is going to form an opinion about your home as soon as they see it so take the time to make the outside neat and tidy.

Clean up the yard- Get rid of junk in the yard, you know, that pile of wood you've been hanging on to - get rid of it! Rake up leaves and yard debris. Sweep the walk and the steps to all of the entrances, especially the one the buyer will use.

Paint- Paint the exterior especially around the entrances the buyer may use to enter your home. Check the garage doors, these are often in need of some paint due to rain splashing on the lower portions.

Make repairs- Screen doors should open easily and close securely; replace the screen or put in the glass insert. (It's that time of year anyway.) Check the gutters to make sure they are attached securely. Check for loose or missing siding. (Remember the heavy winds we had earlier this year.)

Septic System- Have the system inspected and pumped if it has been 2 years or more since you last had it pumped. By inspecting the system now you will eliminate any surprises during the home inspection.

By spending some time and money you can give you home the best chance at selling quickly and for the highest amount possible. Be sure to ask your Realtor® to give you a list of items to be corrected.

Would you like to know your home's value as well as a survey of things that should be done?

Contact me for a Market Analysis of your home today.

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