Preparing For Sale

Too many home sellers in Newport Beach CA make the mistake of taking the home preparations lightly. Sure, the title and documents are of utmost importance, but buyers want more than just clean paperwork. They want to know that they’re getting a good, well-maintained home. In the competitive market of Newport Beach real estate, preparing your home for sale can mean a difference of thousands of dollars.

So how do you put your home at par with other Newport Beach homes for sale? The details can be daunting, but it’s nothing you can’t handle with a bit of planning. For Newport Beach homes, the most important factors are your budget, the home’s curb appeal, and the interior.

How Much Should You Spend on Preparations?

Many staging professionals offer to groom and style Newport Beach homes for maximum visual appeal. While it certainly makes a difference, the costs can really make you ask whether it’s worth it. You have to be realistic about potential buyers’ expectations of Newport Beach real estate. Will they really be impressed by designer curtains when the knobs are loose and the floorboards are cracked?

Your agent can help you set a budget for home preparations. After a quick walk-through of your home, he or she can tell you how it measures up against other Newport Beach homes for sale. They’ll also tell you which elements will most affect your selling price and need to be prioritized.

Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Newport Beach CA is known as much for its scenery as for its attractive street views. Owners take a lot of pride in their homes, maintaining manicured lawns and well-kept exteriors. When you’re selling your home, good curb appeal warrants that all-important second look and gets buyers through the front door. Have a third party (such as your agent) give you opinions on what needs to be improved or changed to match up to other Newport Beach homes. Well in advance, make sure to:

• Keep your lawn edged, mowed and watered
• Trim the hedges and flower beds, and prune any trees in the property
• Check the steps and walkways for cracks, paint spills and other blemishes
• Check exterior walls, doors and windows for peeling paint
• Clean and align the gutters
• Have the chimney inspected and cleaned if necessary
• Check for damaged, loose, or missing roof shingles
• Keep old cars, toys, and other junk out of view

The Interior

Your home’s interior gives buyers an idea of what it’s like to live in it. Remember, they’re probably looked or will look at other Newport Beach homes, so you want yours to be more than eye candy. It has to make the impression of being a comfortable place to live. Again, an unbiased opinion from your Newport Beach real estate agent can help you identify necessary improvements. For starters:

• Get rid of all the clutter. You’d be surprised at how much bigger a room looks when all the unnecessary stuff is moved out. Some sellers rent storage space or garages around Newport Beach CA to hold their stuff while they’re showing their homes. You can also hold a garage sale to better organize your own move.
• Have the house professionally cleaned every other week (or do it yourself if you have the time) while it’s on the market.
• Repaint rooms with neutral colors such as beige, cream or white. Strong colors can be hard to coordinate and may not match every buyer’s tastes.
• Check the basement for leaks, cracks, and signs of moisture or dampness.
• Replace broken woodwork such as moldings and window panes.
• Have the heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems inspected; schedule repairs if necessary.
• Get new knobs and handles for doors and kitchen cabinets.