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How to Help Your Home Sell

A good first impression can help sell your home
When you are showing your home to prospective buyers, first impressions are the most lasting and the most important to its sale. Your major role as a seller will be to make you home as attractive as possible to potential buyers. The time, effort and limited financial investment involved can give you the competitive edge needed to sell your home when you want—at the price you want. 

Your home’s exterior creates the prospective buyer’s first impression
Since the exterior of your home is the first thing a prospective buyer sees, a little time and effort can make a big difference in the impression your home creates—and pay big dividends when the sale is made.

Use this checklist to make sure your home’s exterior looks its best

  • Lawn is well cut and neatly trimmed around the walks and drive.

  • Flower garden is weeded.

  • Shrubs are trimmed and dead trees and branches are eliminated.

  • All debris is disposed of and toys and lawn equipment are neatly stored. 

  • Fences and gates are repaired and repainted, if necessary.

  • The roof, gutters and downspouts are in good repair.

  • Cracked windows and torn screens are replaced. Screens, windows and window sills are washed. Doorknobs are polished.

  • Doorbell and front lights are in good working order.

If you would have planned to paint the house within the coming year, consider painting the house before showing it. A new paint job, well done, will normally enhance the sale value a good deal more than the cost of the paint. Remember, if your home’s exterior looks clean, orderly and in good repair, that’s the impression your house will first convey.

A spotless interior will reinforce your home’s good first impression
Interior dirt and clutter can obscure your home’s good points, so start with a full housecleaning from top to bottom. Store unused or unnecessary items in closets and storage areas or hold a garage sale. Eliminate clutter and your home will look more spacious—an important selling point. 

Take an inspection tour of your home, observing it as a potential buyer would, and use the following checklist to make sure it’s ready to show

  • Walls are clean and free of smudges, fingerprints and dents.

  • Woodwork and wallpaper are inspected for problem areas; wallpaper is cleaned and woodwork waxed.

  • Badly worn furniture is temporarily stored in a family’s or neighbor’s attic or basement.

  • Curtains and drapes are freshly laundered.

  • Rugs and carpets are shampooed. Floors are waxed.

  • Loose doorknobs, sticking doors, windows and warped drawers are repaired. 

  • Leaky faucets are fixed. Water discoloration in sink is eliminated.

  • Loose stair banisters are tightened and steps are free of objects.

  • Light fixtures are in good working order. Discolored or cracked switch plates are replaced.

  • Closets, shelves and drawers are organized to display spaciousness.

  • Clothing is hung neatly and shoes and other objects are neatly arranged.

  • Bathrooms are sparkling clean. Tub and shower caulking is repaired.

  • Bedrooms are neat. Bedspreads and curtains are attractive.

  • The kitchen is clean and tidy, including cupboards, stove and oven.

  • The basement, attic and garage are clean and well organized.

  • Mirrors, picture frames and glass covering pictures are clean.

  • Mirrors are strategically placed to create an impression of added space in problem areas.

  • Lamp shades are in good condition.

  • Electrical connections are plugged in.

  • Consider painting walls and replacing carpeting if cleaning doesn’t do the trick.

  • It is also important to keep lighting in mind when you show your home. Good lighting will make your home seem more cheery and spacious.


Over-improving doesn’t pay
 Don’t plan major improvements on your home. Most home-buyers want to make their own major changes. You are usually wiser to sell them the potential—at a price they can afford.


What you can do to help your real estate agent show your home
 Showing your home is important to its sale, and there are many ways you can help your real estate professional do his or her job successfully. Here are some last-minute details that will maximize your home’s selling potential

  • Ask your real estate broker or agent if your presence is necessary.

  • Never apologize for the appearance of your home.

  • Let your real estate broker or agent answer any objections.

  • Leave it to your real estate professional to emphasize the features of your home.

  • Make sure your agent or broker knows where you are so you may answer questions, but don’t tag along.

  • Let your real estate professional discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the potential buyer (s).

Seller's Financial Responsibilities

The process of selling your home involves several costs and fees. The following list of information is very general. Many of these items can be negotiated with the buyer.

  • Real estate commission

  • Document preparation fee for the deed

  • Documentary transfer tax

  • Any city transfer/conveyance tax (according to contract)

  • Any loan fees required by buyer’s lender

  • Payoff of all loans in seller’s name (or existing loan balance if being assumed by the buyer)

  • Interest accrued to lender being paid off, statement fees, re-conveyance fees and any prepayment penalties.

  • Termite inspection (according to contract)

  • Termite work (according to contract)

  • Home warranty (according to contract)

  • Any judgments, tax liens, etc. against the seller

  • Tax proration (for any taxes unpaid at the time of transfer of title)

  • Any unpaid homeowner’s association dues

  • Recording charges to clear all documents of record against seller.

  • Any bonds or assessments (according to contract)

  • Any and all delinquent taxes

  • Notary fees

  • Escrow fees (according to contract)

  • Title insurance premium (according to contract)

Upon accepting an offer to purchase you will have some timely decisions to make regarding the closing of your property. For instance, you will need someone who will:

  • Prepare the closing statements

  • Draft the deed and Wisconsin Transfer Tax Form

  • Pro-rate taxes and utility bills against the property

  • Obtain and calculate mortgage payoffs

  • Obtain special assessment data from local municipality

  • Calculate any outstanding bills (electrical repair, painting, etc.)

  • Order and prepare title work.

Real estate offices, attorneys and title companies provide these services as part of a closing package.

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