Articles on Preparing Your Home to Sell

Utility|HOA|Tax Worksheet for closing (PDF Download) – simple worksheet to help you prepare and be ready for closing.

Selling Preparation: Fully preparing your home for sale can make a considerable difference in the time it takes to sell it. You can help eliminate buyer objections before they arise by making necessary repairs and improvements, some of which are suggested below.

Outdoors

  • Spruce up your garden and lawn; trim shrubbery and replace dead plants.
  • Yard and patio should be neat; outdoor furniture should be clean and in good shape.
  • Clean or paint your front door – remember first impressions last the longest!
  • Manicure your front yard; make sure your driveway and entryway are free of clutter.

Exterior

  • Check that house numbers, mailbox, and exterior lighting are all in good condition.
  • Touch up with fresh paint as needed.
  • Inspect chimney for cracks or earthquake damage.
  • Repair loose trim, drain pipes, and fencing.
  • Clean stains and window screens.

Garage

  • Remove clutter and tidy up the shelves.
  • Clean the floor.

Living Areas

  • Apply fresh paint as needed … think about brightening your interiors with neutral-toned paint.
  • Clean carpets.
  • Replace burnt out light bulbs.
  • Clean the fireplace and remove smoke stains from the wall and mantle.
  • Clean window coverings.
  • Replace damaged window blinds.

Kitchen

  • Sinks, appliances, and counter tops should sparkle; remove any clutter.
  • Clean the oven, range, and other appliances.
  • Clean tile and grout; replace if necessary.

Bathrooms

  • Clean mirrors, glass, chrome, and porcelain surfaces.
  • Replace shower curtain if necessary.
  • Fix any faucet drips or leaks.
  • Clean grout and caulking; replace if necessary.

Closets

  • Doors and drawers should open and close easily.
  • Remove clutter; tidy up shelves and racks.
  • Shoes and clothes should be neatly arranged.

Overall

  • Check the basics around the house. It takes just a minute to check all doors, windows and cabinets to make sure they don’t stick, squeak or are too loose.
  • Clean your furnace and water heater so buyers know they are looking at a house that has been well maintained.

Your Mountain Home Specialist in the north Georgia mountains. Whether buying or selling, I know that the most important transaction is YOURS. I am committed to excellence, one transaction at a time. Let me help you find your “perfect spot”.

It is a necessity to find the right real estate agent. The state of Georgia has over 10,0000 real estate agents. Out of those, only about 34,000 are Realtors. I am a professional Realtor® and I hold myself to a higher standard than simply a real estate agent. I am: “Committed to excellence, one transaction at a time.” I realize that the most important transaction is YOURS.

I am a proud member of the Ansley Mountain and Lake Office in Blue Ridge. I love the office and the people that make up the office. A terrific space for me in more ways than one! Check me out on the Ansley website to see how properties are marketed to qualified Buyers.

It is my goal to correctly price a property. We want the property to sell for the most amount of money in the least amount of time. That means doing competitive market analysis work for you before I meet with you. You need to know how your property stacks up among the others. I want your property to be the best it can be, so I will suggest areas that might help you increase your price point.

Once a price is agreed upon, then marketing begins. I have one of the best photographers in the business to shoot your property. I include virtual tour for every listing I market, no matter the price point. It is the first impression with the price that pulls the Buyer to a property. I am active on Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. I am a member of the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors, the Georgia Multiple Listing Service, and The First Multiple Listing Service. use social media and email marketing to all Northeast GA Realty Board agents, and Atlanta agents, and other agents with whom I have working relationships. I also implement Facebook and Instagram to promote your property.

What I offer is a direct line of communication. If you call me, I WILL answer the phone and discuss your concerns and/or answer your questions. I am your negotiator and your voice. To be effective, we must talk to one another and be on the same page. You can be assured that I am constantly working on your behalf.

Contact me directly at 678-333-7907 or at sandywilbanks@ansleyatlanta.com. I appreciate the opportunity.