There are so many parts to a home sale transaction in Philadelphia. It is understandable for a home seller to forget a task or two before making the listing active and opening up the property for in-person showings. Here are some common forgotten tasks of home sellers to help you double-check if your home is ready to showcase to a potential buyer.
Make Sure the Doorbell Rings and the Lights Work
Several small, quirky repairs pop up with the wear and tear of daily use on a house. This is common, but a buyer doesn’t want to see these things. Though it may be small and no cause for immediate alarm, it can be off-putting to a potential buyer coming to tour the home. They want to see that the property is in the best condition possible with a simple walk-through.
So take care of the doorbell that makes a funny noise when the button is pushed. Straighten that wobbly railing. Change out the lightbulb in the outdoor fixture that you never really notice. Tighten the screws on those squeaky door hinges. Make sure the doorknobs work. Glue down that loose tile. Etc. Do the small repairs that you know are there but have forgotten about, because they don’t inhibit the important functions of the house. Buyers will notice.
Clean the Inside of Things
When we get ready for company to come over, we often quickly scramble through the home to clean up and make sure all of the easily seen areas of our homes are neat and tidy so that people feel comfortable in our home, and we give a good impression. We often leave the areas that no one is going to see. We don’t wipe down the inside of the washing machine or reorganize under the sink.
But potential Philadelphia home buyers are not like company coming over to your home. They are not focused on deepening a friendship and getting to know you better. They are focused on the condition of your home. They want to purchase it for themselves and live in it. They want to see every nook and cranny to make sure it is in great condition. This means they will be looking at EVERYTHING they can think of to access. They will open the closet doors. They will look under the bathroom sink. They will open the closed door to the utility room and the cleaning closet. So clean, clean, clean. Every nook and cranny imaginable in the home. Not just the easily visible places.
Clearly Communicate What Items Do Not Come with the House
If you plan to take items like appliances or other fixtures commonly thought to stay with a home with you when you move, make sure to communicate this in the home listing or the purchase contract. If you put up a beautiful custom mirror in the bathroom, and you want to bring it with you, let the home buyer know. It is always best to be honest about the items you plan to take with you when you move. Some items are expected to stay with the home because they are legally considered to be part of the structure. Don’t forget to communicate what is going on with you and what is staying in the home.
Search For Your Address on the Internet
This one may sound odd. It is very common to forget. Most homesellers don’t do it. But it is important. Why? Because a home buyer who is researching everything they possibly can about a home will take this step. Sticking your address into a search engine allows you to see all of the information that will pop up about your home and be seen by a potential buyer searching for it.
If your home is already an active listing, it will allow you to see if anyone who has toured the home has commented on it and what their honest thoughts are on the home.
Selling a home is a large job, but it can be made a lot easier with the help of an experienced real estate agent. Don’t just hire any agent to sell your Philadelphia home; hire an agent from Victory Real Estate and get the best care possible to get your home sold successfully.
“Leron is by far the best realtor I had ever worked with, he is very experienced, knowledgeable, and a true professional, he did great from the minute he listed two of my properties all the way thru the closings. If you want to buy or sell or manage your properties talk to Leron and it will be done in the most professional manner.” Victory Real Estate review.