Today’s real estate market is competitive. You need your property to stand out in order to achieve the best possible price and terms. Key to that is preparation.
Prepare Your Condo For The Market
The more effort you put in the following tips, the faster your house will sell, and the more $ you will put in your pocket.
Make cosmetic improvements:
An attractive, clean and tidy appearance will enhance your condo’s appeal.
- Replace Worn Carpets
- Wash the windows squeaky clean
- Open the shades and curtains to create a bright, inviting atmosphere
- Declutter the condo, especially the kitchen and bathrooms
Pay attention to details:
Fixing the minor items can go a long way toward improving that important first impression
- Repair leaky faucets
- Tighten loose door knobs
- Replace damaged screens
- Replace burned-out light bulbs & broken light fixtures
- Patch small holes in walls and ceilings and repaint
- Repair or replace faded or peeling wallpaper
Make maintenance improvements:
The maintenance improvements listed below are relatively easy and inexpensive to make, yet can substantially improve a home’s appearance (value), efficiency and comfort.
- Replace bathroom caulk or grout where necessary
- Replace dirty filters in the heating and ventilating systems
- Have the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems professionally serviced
Check the major systems:
A primary concern for many condo buyer’s is the condition of the major mechanical systems. Most buyers have great fear of the cost to repair these critical areas. Recheck:
- Central heating and air conditioning systems
- Electrical system
- Plumbing system
Prepare for the buyer’s inspection:
Find the various condo records that can be used to answer questions from the purchaser and their inspector:
- Status Certificate / Special Assessment
- Appliance receipts, service records and warranties
- Age of major components such as the furnace, air-conditioner, etc.
- Major component warranties
- Heating, water and electric bills from at least the past 12 months
Take safety precautions:
Protect your condo and its occupants from danger. Good ideas that create a great impression:
- Install quality smoke detectors
- Install quality carbon-monoxide detector
- Ensure adequate outdoor lighting shows off house too
- ‘GFCI’ outlets outdoors and in wet locations such a bath & laundry areas
- Keep hallways tidy and free of debris and obstructions including around the electrical panel and furnace
- Keep flammables and combustibles away from the furnace and other utility areas
