Things to do before you list your home

Are you considering putting your house on the market?  

THE pre-listing LIST

Completing some quick and easy tasks before listing a home for sale can help reduce stress and save time during the home-selling process.

1.  Clean the House: An important part of selling a home is keeping it clean in anticipation of a showing. Cleaning the home will convey that it’s been well cared for and that the house is less susceptible to any issues caused by neglect.

2. Finish the Honey-Do List: Some areas of the home, although not typically thought of as areas that would affect a home’s appeal, may be displayed as safety concerns on a home inspection report. Help yourself by replacing burnt-out light bulbs, testing smoke detectors, replacing air filters and unclogging drains.

3.  Check All Outlets: A sampling of electrical outlets will be tested as part of the home inspection to make sure they’re in good working order. Take note of which outlets are not functioning and replace them, or consider hiring an electrician to make sure all outlets and the electrical box are updated and in proper working condition.

4. Clear Areas for Easy Access: Home inspectors will be looking at the major systems of the home, including the foundation, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing and even the water heater. Making sure they can easily access these areas, including the basement and attic, will save time during the inspection process.

 5. Consider a Pre-Listing Inspection: Hiring experienced and professional home inspectors can save a lot of headaches during the selling process. They will thoroughly go through the home and notify you of any potential issues ahead of listing the property.

If you are looking to sell your home, contact a top real estate team in your area to discuss what you should do to get top dollar.  The Mark Card Team brings over 40 years of combined experience to help you get to the finish line with the most amount of money in your pocket.  Call Mark Card or Jennifer Card at 386-566-8091. 

5 DIY Basics

When you own your home, there is no landlord to go ask for help or fix a problem. So Realtor.com recommends homeowners learn to handle these basic problems:

Change the HVAC filters
    - Replace this quarterly to keep your air system running well and cut your energy bills
Cutting the water supply
    - Find and tag the shut-off valve when you first move in. Then you can easily find it and turn the handle 90 degrees when it needs to be turned off.
Unclogging drains
    - Learn about chemical drainers and drain snakes. The chemical drainers may work, but a drain snake is also a good option.
Resetting a circuit breaker
    - To do this just open the panel cover and find the breaker in the "off" position, then flip it "on."
Clean gutters
    - These need to be cleaned annually or every two years to avoid debris build-up that can trap water. Trapped water can seep into your home and cause thousands in damage.