Made Ready to Sell

A few weeks ago I identified in the housing market. The spring market has taken off early this year despite the snow and we have seen a number of homes offered a contract very quickly – sometimes with multiple offers.

Just take a look at the figures: nineteen homes in Chatham Borough were listed on the market since the start of the year. Already one has closed, eight are under contract and three are in attorney review. In the township the pace has been a little slower: 29 homes were listed on the market and seven homes are under contract. The 15 homes under contract in the Chathams were on the market for an average of only 19 days.

If you are thinking of putting your home on the market, better get cracking on those small improvements that might help your home sell quicker. Buyers have high expectations and a few inexpensive improvements might make all the difference. Here are a few tips summarized from the February 2011 edition of Realtor magazine which might help:

1. Housekeeping. A little bit of elbow grease goes a long way. Clean off the counter tops, organize the laundry room, clean the windows, dust the light fittings, get the carpets professionally cleaned and make sure the house smells pleasant. First impressions count.
2. Reduce the Clutter. Clear away clutter and try to remove the personal touches a little – the buyers may not be interested in your prize collection of Beatles memorabilia from the 1960s, or the photographs of when your adorable 3-year-old spilled cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. Instead, why not start packing now? Put nonessential items into boxes, and if you have more than a few boxes, lease space at a local storage facility.
3. Floors. Most buyers love hardwood floors. It may be time to get yours refinished or buy an inexpensive area rug to brighten up a room.
4. Lighting. Ditch the old brass lighting fixtures and replace with nickel, chrome or oil rubbed bronze. Make sure the lighting in the basement is bright to create a sense of open space. Use lighting to highlight special features such as pendants over the kitchen island or sconces in the foyer.
5. Paint. Paint probably offers the biggest reward in terms of freshening up your home. Experts suggest that you use different variations of the same color throughout the home – a technique called “layering.” Use light colors in the main living area and darker colors in rooms such as bedrooms. Reserve dark or trendier colors for accent walls or to highlight special features, such as a fireplace. The eggshell or satin finishes allow light to bounce off the walls and make the spaces seem larger. Paint the baseboards antique white. Most realtors agree that neutral works best and allows the buyers to envisage their own furniture and furnishings in the home.
6. Consult an Expert. Use catalogues from a Pottery Barn catalogue or "Restoration Hardware" for inspiration, and don’t be afraid to ask your realtor to recommend a home staging professional if you need extra help. For a small fee, a home stager can transform your home using your own furniture and possibly bringing in extra pieces.

So if you are thinking of selling and want to take advantage of Chatham’s “hot spot” in the market, these are a few improvements that can jetison your home to the to the top of the market right now.