OCR Text |
Show -j - . , i; , DOLLARS 'N' SENSE Thinking Of Selling? byBryonEIson The first step in selling your home is to make sure that it is priced competitively. To do this, you can check the local registry of deeds for sale figures of homes in your area or consult a knowledgeable real estate agent ' Remember that your home requires marketing just like any other commodity. Ask yourself who the target buyer is. A smaller home ' will appeal mostly to young profes sionals or older individuals, while a ; larger home will appeal to those who are ready to start a family. Anticipating your target buyer will enable you to tailor your marketing more effectively. You also can improve the chance of selling your home by improving its overall condition. If your home is clean and well maintained, -"the.: selling price will.be near the top of the price range, If the paint is a peeling, the floors are scratched, and the stove is dirty, yoli will be lucky 1 to. find a buyer at all. Keep in mind that people want to move. into a home that is clean, comfortable and in good shape. Most home owners are not eager to dive into a major fix-up and clean-up campaign atid simply can't afford numerous repairs right away. It does not take your life savings to get your home into selling shape. Inexpensive repairs can add thou- v sands of dollars to the value of your . V ' '. home. Vr V-.'-'vl"' ;-: if. -. 1 - - First impressions are critical, so begin on the outside. Trimn the ; - lawn, paint the exterior, add a new 1 . ' door mat, and wipe the scuff marks off the front door. Once inside, a prospective buyer : " -" will form an instant impression of a the home. To make a positive ' impact, apply fresh paint to the ' walls, make sure the windows are ivV'r 'Vi' i. f- 'J'!''i) sparkling, floors are waxed and carpets are clean. Also, change the light bulbs to apply the highest possible wattage. ; . The kitchen and bathroom are rooms which can make or break a sale. Appliances should be clean and countertops clear of unnecessary clutter. The same goes for cabinets. If they are filled to the brim, a buyer may assume the the cabinet space Is inadequate. - In your living room and bedrooms, arrange furniture and accessories so that the impression is one of warmth and cohfort If the bedrooms are small, consider temporarily removing remov-ing unnecessary furniture to create a . more spacious feeling. Before you put your home on the market, clear out all the closets in your home and get rid of anything that is not needed. Adequate closet space is often a top priority for home buyers. Don't forget the attic and basement base-ment These areas have a tendency to appear dark , and musty. ?- Do. everthing you can to alleviate this feeling; add lights, clean the windows win-dows or deodorize the area. . ; Finally, try to create an appealing fnood. For example, most people want a fireplace, so if you have one, play it up. Fresh flowers in the bedroom add a nice touch. In the kitchen, a basket filled with freshly baked muffins can invoke a homey touch which can turn a looker into a buyer. . ;.' There are even tax benefits to improving your home before selling. Any profit relized upon selling your home can be taxed, if you do not reinvest the gain in a home of equal or greater value. However, you can reduce the amount of the gain by subtracting the cost of repairs done during the 90 days prior to. signing the ' contract from your home's selling price. Make sure that the repairs are paid for within 30 days of the sale. ' j 19R by King Features Synd. |