REAL ESTATE TIPS FOR SELLERS
REAL ESTATE AGENCY
Whats New:
This is La Grande's New Web Site.
February 2011
Please feel free to give your comments on La Grande's new website, by clicking on Contact Us in the Main Menu.
Current News
Interest rate Cut
November 2010
On 18 November 2010 The Reserve Bank has anounced that the repo rate is reduced by 50 basis points. This means that the banks will reduce their prime lending rate down to 9%.
Recent Events
No Transfer Duty or Capital Gain Tax?
February 2011
For those of you who have their primary residence registered in a CC., Trust or Company, now have the opportunity to transfer the property into your own name, with out paying transfer duty or capital gain tax. Before you take any action, consult with your finacial advisor to establish whether this will be to your advantage. Then consult with your transferring attorney to establish whether you will qualify not to pay transfer duty and capital gain tax. Then establish with your bank wheteher you will qualify for the outstanding bond amount. You have to take action before the end of 2011.
FREE TIPS FOR SELLERS
When selling your house it is important to know which repairs and house improvement projects will increase the value of your house and help you get the most interest from homebuyers. Use this checklist to get your house ready for the market.
Please note; in order to maximise the market value of your property, it is suggested that you attend to the items mentioned in this checklist, before you ask your agent to valuate and market your property.
Carpets & Flooring Improvements
• If you have pets, hire a professional to deodorize the carpets.
• If needed, replace any worn carpet.
• If needed, steam clean carpet thoroughly.
• If needed, install new neutral-coloured carpet with thick padding so prospective buyers feel comfortable as they walk on your floors.
• Make sure the carpets are secure. Stretch and tack down any loose or curling carpet.
• Make sure the carpets are vacuumed, free of pet hair and combed.
• If your home has wooden floors with room-size rugs, get the wood into its best condition with fresh non-slip floor polish or other coating to make it shimmer.
• Mop and vacuum floors.
Clean & De-Clutter Improvements
• Appliances should be cleaned-inside and outside.
• Clean all curtains, drapes and blinds.
• Clean or purchase new front door accessories.
• Clean the entry way carefully; it creates the buyers first impression of your home.
• Clean the inside of all kitchen and bathroom cabinets and neatly organize items on shelves.
• Clean windowsills.
• Doors should be oiled and squeak-free.
• Dry clean your drapes.
• Empty trash cans, recycling bins and ashtrays.
• Ensure all doors, cabinets and drawers can open completely without any blockage.
• Exterminate any insect problems.
• Get rid of odors (pet, food)
• Have a garage sale before the home is listed
• Hire a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market.
• If needed, remove clutter by renting off-site storage space.
• Keep bookshelves, entertainment units organized neatly.
• Keep clothing hung neatly, shoes organized.
• Keep bathrooms sparkle; sinks, toilets and tubs should be immaculate.
• Mop and sweep all floors.
• Polish all interior woodwork.
• Remove appliances from kitchen counters to give a look of spaciousness
• Remove oil spots from garage floor.
Exterior Painting Improvements
• Paint door and Doorframe.
• Paint exterior fixtures.
• Paint mailbox.
• Paint or clean front door and garage door.
• Paint shutters; make sure they are hung straight.
• Paint window ledges.
• Polish door handles and knockers.
• Remove rust from railings.
• Repair any damage to chimney.
• Repair holes in gutters and repair any separations from eaves.
• Repair or replace shingles or tiles missing from roof.
• Sand and repaint areas with blistering or peeling paint.
• Seal cracks on porch and remove any standing water if concrete, if wood, secure railings and seal or paint as necessary.
• Straighten and clean antenna/satelite dish.
Interior Painting Improvements
• Have leaks repaired & watermarks repainted.
• If needed, repaint faded, worn or stained interior walls.
• Make sure that cracks in ceiling/walls are repaired.
• The windows should be washed and stain free. The window frames should be painted if necessary and the hinges should not squeak.
• Tone down bright room colors by painting them white or a neutral colour.
Kitchen & Bathroom Improvements:
• If the appliances are included with the sale of your home, make sure they are operating and have proper documentation such as warranties and repair information.
• If there are missing or damaged tiles, have them replaced.
• Re-touch or repair kitchens and bathrooms if the colour is dated or the paint quality is poor.
• Make sure sinks are clean and stain free.
• Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs.
• Make sure that there are no leaky taps.
• Re-grout damaged grout on shower, bath, sinks, or toilet.
• Clean tile grout and make stain free.
• Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry.
• Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges.
• Replace toilet seat.
• If appliances are dated or not functioning, consider replacing.
Light Improvements:
• Repair sticky windows which do not open.
• At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting.
• Clean all switch plates.
• Clean all windows, inside and out.
• Clean existing shutters, blinds or drapes.
• Increase the wattage of bulbs to maximum possible wattage.
• Install dimming switches in common rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms to allow you to create lighting for different occasions.
• Install new window treatments if those you have, are damaged or dated.
• Keep curtains open and use natural light as much as possible.
• Make sure all out door lighting works.
• Prune outside trees to allow natural light inside.
• Turn on lights so home is well lit during showing.
• Wipe all light fixtures with a rag and cleaning solution.
Plumbing & Electrical Improvements:
• All drains should be clean and free flowing.
• All toilets should be in good working order.
• Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms.
• Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen taps are in good working order.
• Make sure all smoke and burglar alarms are functional.
• Remove mildew stains and repair any loose, crumbling grout around tile and tub areas.
• Repair broken doorbell.
• Service sprinkler system.
Staging Improvements:
• Clean fireplace and prepare with logs for display.
• Consider lighting up the fireplace during the colder months.
• Hang art works on the walls.
• Hang extra clean towels in the bathroom for your guests.
• Have a fresh vase of flowers on the dining room table to add appeal.
• Have beds made.
• If needed, put large furniture in storage.
• Lock pets up away from home during showings.
• Open drapes to allow light in.
• Place fresh flowers. potpourri and other decorations around house (even in bathrooms)
• Play soft music during open houses.
• Remove personal possession, like photos, trophies and mementos.
• Set the dining room table for a dinner party.
• Stage garage-clean up oily floors, straighten tools and other equipment.
• Tag or remove items not included in sale (i.e. water conditioner, chandeliers, plants, drapes)
Yard Improvements:
• Add colourful plants or flowers near front door and porch area.
• Consider re-painting or re-staining a pool deck if the wood is worn out.
• If you have an awning for the patio, make sure that it is also free of debris and, that there are no signs of tear or worn material. Replace if necessary.
• Keep the firewood neatly stacked.
• Keep trash area clean and organized.
• Keep walks, steps and driveways obstacle-free.
• Mow, trim, fertilize and water lawn.
• Power wash, deck.
• Prune trees and bushes.
• Rake fallen leaves.
• Remove unnecessary items such as gardening equipment.
• Remove debris and personal items on deck and porch.
• Remove signs such as Beware of Dog.
• Remove weeds and dead or dying plants or flowers.
• Replace welcome mat at the doorway.
• Re-sod bare spots on lawn.
Attention Mr. & Mrs. Seller
People in general prefer to buy new houses because ;
a) A new house is clean;
b) Because of the new painted walls and new flooring, the house smells nice;
c) All the kitchen and bathroom fittings are new and modern;
d) There are no transfer duties to be paid.
You cannot compete with paragraph (d), but you surely can do something about the remainder of the items. A matured house which has been well maintained, and cared for, will compete very well with a new house for sale.
