I wrote an article similar in content to this one a few years ago but feel it worth a rewrite
again. The article focuses on home remedial work and property information gathering. Certainly well worth consideration for those of you who are planning to sell next year and could benefit greatly in preparing as much as possible in advance and make the listing more effective when the time arrives. Go through this list and undertake as many items as reasonable during the next few months. This list deals with several interior items and important information about your property, but if there are any significant exterior issues they will have to wait until spring unless we get many warm winter days??!
From my many listing presentations, marketing of many acreages and representing the buying side as well, I can attest to the importance and advantage of as many of these items being dealt with before a property is on the market. It saves time, reduces buyer’s questions and improves competition in a well prepared and presented listing.
Remedial work:
- Repaint inside rooms in modern colors if current colors are dated and dark. Remove old wallpapers.
- Repair all minor problems – leaking plumbing fixtures, replace any discolored or dated light fixtures and faulty switches.
- Replace baseboard and casings if old, scuffed and looking tired. Go with a wider design if the builder grade thin ones are present.
- Replace older carpeting or flooring if worn, dated or looking tired.
- Paint darker doors white or replace them. They are not expensive and will brighten up your home.
- Replace older mirrors with large newer design.
- Thoroughly clean out your service room, furnace and tanks and get your water tested and treated if needed and post the results on the wall in the room.
- Focus on the entrance being very inviting – new door, distinctive welcome entrance ‘feel’, seating bench.
- Improve lighting in darker areas.
- Ensure bathrooms present very clean. Repair grouting, deal with any tile leaks etc.
- Declutter your home throughout – give away or sell everything you no longer use or need.
- Start staging rooms by eliminating extra furnishings, adding a few new pieces, reduce the number of wall pictures and generally work towards a more open and less busy look.
- Book for window cleaning early next spring so you have an appointment set.
- Get an independent opinion of your home’s impact by a trusted friend or realtor.
- Get a couple of evaluations done by trusted agents you are considering using and be honest with them about your plans.
Property Information Gathering:
The following are questions buyers often ask about country properties (gleaned over my career) when they get serious about a property they have seen. As a seller I suggest you have this information or as much as you can available for your agent and in your property promo package to help buyers overcome unnecessary objections and uncertainty, improve buyer confidence and speed up a decision process.
- How is the water? Quality & quantity (Flow rate – GPM). Is there a current or recent drilling and chemical analysis report that can be reviewed? Is there an external or internal cistern on the property and its size?
- Where is the well located and how deep is it? (Show on a diagram location of services on land).
- Is the development on co-op water? If so how often is the water tested and what are the co-op water fees?
- How large is the septic tank and where is the septic field? Has it been maintained and regularly serviced? (Show on property location diagram).
- What water processing equipment is in the home? What is the equipment doing for the water? Label the various items in the utility room so it is clear what the equipment is.
- Has there been any water damage or water penetration in the home? If so has it been inspected and remediated? Related proof report?
- Is the property on a flood zone?
- Are there HOA fees if on a multi home development? What do they include and who manages it?
- Are there Restrictive Covenants on the property. What are they? Any easements related to property? Crossover easements and pan handles can be sometimes challenging.
- Who built the home? Age?
- Are furnaces low, mid or high efficiency? Their age. Have they been serviced and maintained?
- Condition of hot water tanks. Age and size. In floor heating and number of zones?
- Can another outbuilding be placed on the property? Verify with MD.
- Does the school bus come by this location? Where is pick up for students and time they come by?
- What schools can my kids go to? What grade in each?
- Driving time to airport, city, closest shopping, hospital, ring road?
- Is the property fencing the actual boundary of the property? Often this is not the case.
- Do you have a current Real Property Report (RPR?) Does it have a compliance letter? Any encroachments of buildings?
- Can the property be further subdivided? Check with MD for opinion.
- What is the current zoning of your property? AGR. , DC or Country Residential? (CR)
- What are the monthly/yearly average utility bills? (This request comes up very often.) Annual taxes?
- Has the property been appraised recently for any purpose by an appraiser versus an agent doing an evaluation?
- What renovations have been done recently? Details and pricing if available.
- Were building permits acquired for any work done? Proof available for any additions, renovations done? Can effect insurance policy approvals and payouts.
- Neighbours? Basic information about them.
- How many horses, animals can one have on the property? If part of a development are there special restrictions beyond MD bylaws by the developer?
- General area bylaws of the MD? Link address to MD site.
- Is there garbage pick up at the property?
- If neighbour’s property has any eyesore issues can it be rectified via bylaws or neighbour request? Sometimes sensitive.
There are other items as well, but I think this list will keep one busy and certainly enhance a presentation to market.
© 2016 by Wayne Chaulk