SELLER’S GUIDE TO CABO SAN LUCAS REAL ESTATE
This home sellers guide was written to help sellers make logical choices and decisions about moving or selling. We tend to get accustomed to our own environment and what we see is not necessarily what someone else may see. After all, they say your home is your castle. Sometimes we need to take a step back or maybe even get a second opinion or another set of eyes as to what it may look like to someone else. Home sellers should not be offended, as it is better to get it done now, rather than waiting until later and get disappointed when you do not sell your home or do not get its true market value.
Pretend That You Are The Buyer
1. Put on your buyers hat and go through your home, be a little picky. Start outside and then go inside making notes as you do your walk through. Be critical and honest with yourself during this walk through just as if you are buying your house. Sometimes, sellers will ask home inspectors to do a home inspection before listing it. Home inspectors do not charge too much money but will be able to give you a good idea of areas that could come up during an inspection after the sale. Spending a few hundred dollars on a home inspector now could save you thousands of dollars and delays in negotiations on the price.
First Impressions Do Sell
2. Go through your house, and organize and clean. Remove all the clutter, and box and pack all items that are not being used, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, extra clothes, old toys, and any exercise equipment. Clean the windows inside and out, paint or wipe down walls, lighting fixtures, and any baseboards to make the house shine.
3. Get estimates for some of the major items that the home inspector pointed out to you.
Document All Your Repairs
4. Go through and make a list of items that you have repaired or replaced during your ownership. Gather all the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the AC’s, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house, buyers will be asking you questions and it is better to know.
Curb Appeal is Everything
5. The exterior of your home is the first thing that buyers see when they drive by or come to see the house. Make sure that that the lawn and shrubs are cut and trimmed. As you approach your front door, what is your impression of the property? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments? Are all the lights working and turned on if it is dusk?
In Los Cabos it is imperative that you hire a Realtor to sell your home. At Own In Cabo our Realtors are great at giving advice and know what to look for and have access to home inspectors that they have worked with and trust to give an honest opinion about the condition of your home.
Some Simple Tips for Better Home Showings
Some things we mention may seem like common sense, however, these things are very important and should not be overlooked. Ask a friend or the next door neighbor that is visiting, what they think? Ask them to go through the house, and tell you what they see. Don’t get offended, just listen and take notes and then just figure out what to do. The better your home shows, the faster you will sell it and the sooner you will be enjoying your new place.
Make your Home Feel Larger
1. Remove clutter from countertops and shelves in every room and even in closets. Get rid of any stacks of newspapers or magazines you may have been saving, and put away most of your small decorative items. Remove any excess furniture and either store it offsite or try to sell it if you do not intend to take it with you, pack up remove extra clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.
2. Wash your windows and replace any ripped or damaged screens. This will help brighten things and get more light into the interior of the home.
3. Everything must be extra extra clean. We know that you are living in your house, but you never know when that next call for a showing appointment may be. A clean house is critical and makes a strong first impression it also sends a message to any potential buyers that this home has been well-cared for. Clean all light switch plates, mop floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service.
How Clean is Clean
4. Get rid of any smells. Pet and cooking smells can tend to stay in the house for some time. Clean sofas and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smell. Open the window and let some air in. Potpourri or scented candles may help, but there is nothing like cleaning things first.
5. Brighter rooms can make them feel larger and more spacious. Install some higher wattage light bulbs if allowed in your light fixtures to brighten up rooms. Any dim or burned out bulbs must be replaced. Wipe down your walls, or better yet, you can freshen up with a fresh coat of neutral color paint.
6. Don’t overlook the minor repairs. These minor problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may not seem like much, but they can give buyers the impression that your house has been neglected.
First Impressions Do Matter
7. First impressions can tend to make or break a deal. Tidy your yard. Trim the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.
8. Don’t forget that driveways are a large part of the house. Clean the driveway, Patch any holes and reapply sealant, if applicable.
9. There is nothing like a little color to add some life to a room. Just add a touch of color to the living room. A colored throw on the couch will jazz up a otherwise dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.
10. Adding a flowering plant near a window will give character to a room that you pass by frequently.
11. Add centerpieces to your tables, these do not need to be large or expansive. Using brightly colored fruit or flowers is easy. If you already have a centerpiece just make sure that it is clean and looks great.
