Top California Realtor Craig Martin Educates Sellers on how to get Top Dollar

“As a Realtor I am always surprised by how many homes I see that can sell quickly and for more money if only the seller spent a little time and money to prepare the home for sale,” said Martin. “I seldom walk out of a home I just showed to a buyer and not have them complain about at least one item that could have been a simple fix to make the home more appealing.”

To help sellers ensure a fast and equitable sale, Martin lists the following ten tips:

No. 1: Declutter. Make sure that all extra items are packed in boxes and stored in the garage. “Also, remove any furniture that is too big for the room or that is just not needed,” advised Martin.

No. 2: Depersonalize. “You want to make the buyer feel like they can see themselves living in the home,” noted Martin. “It’s important to remove all pictures of your family, or any personal items.”

No. 3: Paint/touch-up. It is very cost-effective to have a fresh coat of paint in the main rooms. Also, make sure the color is neutral and appeals to the majority of buyers.

No. 4: Repair small items. Make sure all door knobs and locks work. Fix or change faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms. Tighten all door hinges and handles and make sure all light bulbs work.

No. 5: Clean and sparkle. Have a professional cleaner come in and clean the whole house. “Pay special attention to the bathrooms and the kitchen,” stressed Martin. “Also, have the tile and carpet professionally cleaned.”

No. 6: Fix that shower. “The one place I get the most complaints from buyers is the shower and how dirty, gritty and used it can look,” stated Martin. “Clean the tile and mildew with a professional product, and touch-up the grout and caulk all of the seams. And don’t forget to put in a new shower head. It’s only $50 and will make all the difference.”

No. 7: Lighting. Change those dated light fixtures. Put in a light that has a fan in the bedrooms and a nice chandelier in the dining room. These small upgrades go a long way to adding value.

No. 8: Open those window coverings. Make sure to open all drapes, blinds, shutters, etc. to let the light in and see outside the home, which drastically makes the rooms look and feel bigger.

No. 9: Landscape/curb appeal. “Make sure you can see the home by trimming those trees and bushes and making the home look alive by putting in some fresh plants and flowers,” said Martin. “Also make sure to trim the lawn and add more water a few weeks before listing the home. This will make the vegetation look green and inviting.”

No. 10: Professional walk-through. “If you are selling your home it is always a good idea to have a real estate agent go through the home to help and advise you on your home’s specific needs,” concluded Martin. “I always enjoy the process of preparing a home to sell and I include specific items on this list at no extra charge.”

About Craig Martin, Realty ONE Group

Craig Martin works with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys. He is #1 in his office in sales and ranks in the top 1% of Realtors in his area. He was also featured on TLC’s “Flip That House.” For more information, please call (661) 361-6843, or visit www.craigmartinhomes.com. Realty ONE Group is located at 24251 Town Center Drive, Suite 201, Valencia, CA.

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