Advertisement
Main Menu
Lake County Waterfront Real Estate
Lake Front Activities
Waterskiing
Tavares Townhomes
Tavares Florida
Preparing to Sell Your Home
Location
Contact Us
Search
Administrator Login
Request for Pricing/Information

First Name *
Last Name *
Email Address *
Telephone *


03 December 2008
Preparing to Sell Your Home PDF Print E-mail

Be Prepared to Sell Your Lake County Florida Home 

When selling your Lake County Florida home, it's important to know which repairs and home improvement projects will increase the value of your home and help you get the most interest from homebuyers. We, at R & S Realty Group, Inc have provided this checklist in order to get your house ready for the new home buyer market.

Carpet & Flooring Improvements:

If your home has hardwood floors with room-size rugs, get the hardwood into its best condition with fresh non-slip floor polish or other coating to make it shimmer
If needed, install new neutral-colored carpet with a thick padding so prospective buyers feel comfortable as they walk on your floors
If you decide to replace any flooring such as tile, linoleum or carpet choose a neutral color that will have wide appeal
Make sure carpets are secure. Stretch and tack down any loose or curling carpet
Make sure the carpets are vacuumed, free of pet hair and combed
If needed, steam clean carpet thoroughly
If needed, replace any worn carpet
If you have pets hire a professional to deodorize carpets
Thoroughly clean the floors in your kitchen and all bathrooms
Replace any worn out vent covers 

Steam Clean Carpets

New Carpet 

Wood Flooring

If you have any questions regarding the improvements to the carpet & flooring for your Lake County Florida home, contact your agent at R & S Realty Group, Inc at 352-253-2400.
Clean & De-Clutter:

Hire a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market
Clean the inside of all kitchen and bathroom cabinets and neatly organize items on shelves
Clean the entryway carefully; it creates the buyers first interior impression of your home
Ensure all doors, cabinets and drawers can open completely without any blockage
Remove appliances from kitchen counters to give a look of spaciousness
Make bathrooms sparkle; sinks, toilets and tubs should be immaculate
If needed, remove clutter by renting off-site storage space
Keep bookshelves, entertainment units organized neatly
Keep shower curtains fresh and free from mildew
Empty trash cans, recycling bins and ash trays
Appliances should be cleaned - inside and out
Clean or purchase new front door accessories
Have a garage sale before the home is listed
Keep clothing hung neatly, shoes organized
Make stairwells and corridors clutter-free
Doors should be oiled and squeak-free
Clean all curtains, drapes and blinds
Keep baseboards clean and dusted
Keep stairways and corridors clear
Keep screens clean and vacuumed
Exterminate any insect problems
Remove oil spots from garage
Polish all interior woodwork
Get rid of odors (pet, food)
Mop and sweep all floors
Clean windowsills
Organize closets 

Housecleaning2

Housecleaning5

 Housecleaning4

Housecleaning3

 Housecleaning1

Contact R & S Realty Group, Inc for more information about how to clean & de-clutter your Lake County Florida Property at 352-253-2400.
Exterior Painting Improvements:

Seal cracks on porch and patio and remove any standing water if concrete. If wood, secure railings and seal or paint as necessary
Repair holes in gutters and repair any separations from eaves
Repair or replace shingles or tiles missing from the roof
Sand and repaint areas with blistering or peeling paint
Paint over any rust spots or streaks on downspouts
Paint shutters; make sure they are hung straight
Paint or re-stain fence if it is peeling or dirty
Paint or clean front door and garage door
Polish door handles and knockers
Repair any damage to chimney
Straighten and clean antenna
Paint door and doorframe
Remove rust from railing
Paint or clean exterior fixtures
Paint or clean window ledges
Paint mailbox

ExteriorPaint1

 ExteriorPaint2

ExteriorPaint3

For assistance in locating a qualified contractor to assist you with any exterior painting improvements, visit our offices in Lake County Florida, located at 124 S. Joanna Avenue in Tavares Florida.
Interior Painting Improvements:

The windows should be washed and stain free. The window frames should be painted if necessary and they should open and close freely
Repair any loose or damaged wallpaper.
All woodwork like stairwell railings and doors should be clean and if necessary repainted and/or stained
Get advise from a professional on any colors your rooms may be painted. Sometimes it is better to tone down bright room colors by painting them more neutral colors.
If needed, repaint faded, worn or stained interior walls
Make sure that cracks in ceiling/walls are repaired
Have leaks repaired & old watermarks covered 

InteriorPaint1 

InteriorPaint2

In order to assist you with finding an interior painting contractor in Lake County Florida, contact your agent at R & S Realty Group, Inc at 352-352-2400
Kitchen & Bathroom Improvements:

If the appliances are included with the sale of your home, make sure they are operating and have proper documentation such as warranties and repair information
Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges
Re-touch or repaint kitchens and bathrooms if the color is dated or the paint quality is poor
If appliances are dated or not functioning, consider replacing
If there are missing or damaged tiles, have them replaced
Re-caulk damaged caulk on shower, sinks, tub or toilet
Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry
Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs
Make sure that there are no leaky faucets
Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free
Clean tile grout and make stain-free 

KitchenBath1 

KitchenBath2

 KitchenBath3

There are many sources for new appliances and repair shops in Lake County Florida.  See your Real Estate Agent at R & S Realty Group, Inc
Lighting Improvements:

Install dimming switches in common rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms to allow you to create lighting for different occasions
Install new window treatments if those you have are damaged or dated
Keep curtains open and use natural light as much as possible
Increase the wattage of bulbs to maximum possible wattage
Clean all light fixtures
Turn on lights so home is well lit during showing
At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting
Prune outside trees to allow natural light inside
Clean skylight for leaves and other debris
Clean existing shutters, blinds or drapes
Make sure all outdoor lighting works
Clean all windows, inside and out
Clean all switch plates 

Lighting1

Lighting2 

Your Realtor from R & S Realty Group, Inc can assist you with locating sources for lighting improvement in Lake County Florida.
Plumbing & Electrical Improvements:

Remove mildew stains and repair any loose, crumbling caulk or grout around tile and tub areas
If needed, hire a plumber to replace badly rusted and corroded plumbing pipes
Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen faucets are in good working order
Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms
Make sure that all smoke and burglar alarms are functional
Have your well or septic inspected or repaired
All drains should be clean and free flowing
All toilets should be in good working order
Inspect, clean and change AC filter
Service sprinkler system
Make sure doorbell works  

Plumbing1

Plumbing3

Plumbing2 

Lake County Florida has many qualified plumbing and electrical contractors and R & S Realty Group, Inc can provide information and references for these services. Just call 352-253-2400
Staging Improvements:

Clean out the entry closet and put only a few hangers so that the buyer can visualize winter coats
Tag or remove items not included in sale (i.e. water conditioner, chandeliers, plants, drapes)
Place fresh flowers, potpourri and other decorations around house (even in bathrooms)
Stage garage - clean up oily floors, straighten tools and other equipment
Remove personal possession, like photos, trophies and mementos
Have a fresh vase of flowers on the kitchen table to add appeal
Consider lighting up the fireplace during the colder months
Hang extra clean towels in the bathroom for your guests
Remove all unnecessary articles in basement or attic
Clean fireplace and prepare with logs for display
Remove pets from home during showings
Remove magnets and notes from refrigerator
Set the dining room table for a dinner party
If needed, put large furniture in storage
Put cedar chips inside the closets
Play music during open houses
Open drapes to allow light in
Hang artwork on the walls
Have beds made 

Staging1

Staging2 

Staging3

Call your Agent at R & S Realty Group, Inc for more advice on staging improvements for your Lake County Florida Home.  Visit our offices at 124 S. Joanna Avenue, Tavares Florida.
Yard Improvements:


If you have an awning for the patio, make sure that it is free of debris and that there are no signs of tear or worn material. Replace if necessary
Consider re-painting or re-staining a deck if the finish is worn. Replace bad boards
Repair damaged, rusty or bent fence; paint or stain if necessary
Add colorful plants or flowers near front door and porch area
Remove unnecessary items such as gardening equipment
Remove debris and personal items on deck and porch
Remove weeds and dead or dying plants or flowers
Keep walks, steps and driveway obstacle-free
Remove signs such as Beware of Dog
Replace welcome mat at the doorway
Keep trash area clean and organized
Mow, trim, fertilize and water lawn
Keep the firewood neatly stacked
Re-sod bare spots on lawn
Prune trees and bushes
Rake fallen leaves
Power wash deck  

Yard1

Yard5

Yard4

Yard2

 Yard3

Your Lake County Florida home is a great investment for a new home buyer.  R & S Realty Group, Inc and their staff of Real estate Professionals are ready to help you sell your Lake County Florida home.

We, at R & S Realty Group, Inc hope that you will find much valuable information in our checklist for selling your Lake County Florida property.  If you have need for any further assistance or any additional tips regarding the sale of Lake County Florida homes, please contact one of our licensed professionals at 352-253-2400.

 
Tavares StationIdeal Florida HomesR&S Realty GroupMount Dora TownhomesFlorida Carefree Living
TavaresWaterFront.com(c) 2007 - Buildtelligence Web Design