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"My husband and I worked with Matt in both finding and selling our home... Hardest Working Man in Real Estate is the perfect description of Matt's talent! We have never seen such a hard working Realtor."
- George and Linda Reardon

Do you have a property you need to sell? 

You can get an on-line market estimate of your home's current value, or we can meet in person once you are ready to put it on the market.  We also offer email updates of listings that are on the market now and that have sold in your current neighborhood so you can watch the market as you consider selling. 

With our 'Corner the Market Home Selling System' we'll help you sell quickly and for top dollar.  We'll even include a professional home staging report to assist you with preparing your home for sale.  We have grown up in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and have over 10 years of experience here.  Contact us when you are ready to discuss selling your property, or if you have questions.

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You'll find a number of tips and suggestions to help you get your home ready for sale below.

We have sold over $136 million worth of Real Estate and would love to help make your move as smooth and stress free as possible.

Search the Chicagoland area on your own - Over 100,000 listings

Make a Great First Impression

  • Exterior and Curb Appeal - Experts say most buyers make their decision at first sight.
  • General Exterior -  Prospective buyers will react well to signs that your home has been meticulosly maintained. Manicured landscaping: mow, edge and water lawn, trim hedges, weed and fertilize flowerbeds, and prune trees. Keep driveway clear and free of parked cars, and keep the garage door closed. Repair or replace loose or damaged roof shingles. Minimize cracks on walkways, walls, or steps and keep them clean and free of obstructions like toys and snow. Make sure that from the street your property appears clean. Inspect appearance of interior window coverings from curb. Repair any peeling paint or loose caulking on windows and other areas. Take steps to eliminate insects or rodents. Pick up after your pets or neighborhood animals.
  • Doorway - While agents work the lockbox for a key, buyers have idle time to notice details. Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door and frame. Consider adding flower pots in the entryway if weather permits. Eliminate cobwebs and groom doorway area windows and porchlight.
  • Interior Appeal -  Once inside, experts say most buyers are reaffirming their curbside decision.
  • Clean, Clear, Light and Bright -  Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning and remove all clutter. Hiring a cleaning service may pay for itself by adding to a buyer's perceived value of your home. For a sleeker more spacious look, consider placing furniture from crowded rooms in storage. Clear kitchen counters of everything other than a flower display. Remember, closets will be opened! Keep closets, cupboards, and even your attic orderly and neat. Since you are moving anyway, consider holding a garage sale or boxing and storing unused belongings. If necessary, repaint dingy or strongly colored walls with a neutral color. Bright rooms look bigger, and neutral colors help buyers envision their own furnishings and decor.
  • Warm and Homey -  Subtle scents of potpourri in bedrooms or baths can make your home more inviting.

Tips for Getting Your Home Ready:

  • Preparation - When preparing your home, think about the techniques used to show model homes or what you might do to prepare for special guests. Create a light, cheerful, and comfortable environment. Make sure all light are on and all drapes are open throughout your home. Add welcoming touches by filling a candy dish or displaying fresh flowers.
  • Windows - Repair or replace torn or bent screens, or remove them completely.
  • Walls -  Patch all major holes and cracks in wallboard and plaster. Paint where necessary. Wallpaper should be clean. Clean or paint air-vent covers.
  • Doors - Check that all doors, including sliding doors, open and close freely and don't squeak. Tighten hardware, particularly doorknobs.
  • Floors -  Replace missing or damaged pieces of tile. Repair a loose stair tread plate or loose carpeting.
  • Carpet -  Steam-clean soiled carpets. If pet odors are present, clean the carpet some time before your home is placed on the market. Anchor loose carpeting.
  • Countertops and cabinets -  Overcrowding gives the impression of inadequacy in both kitchens and bathrooms. Store items not frequently used, particularly counter-top appliances.
  • Garage -  It's hard to evaluate the potential of a garage if it's filled to overflowing. You may want to consider moving theses items to a mini-warehouse during the selling period. See that the garage door opens freely, and if you have an automatic door opener, be sure it is in good working order.
  • Driveway -  Clean up grease of oil spots; remove the soil at least, if not the stains. If possible, don't park cars, recreational vehicles or boats in front of the house or in the driveway.
  • Bedrooms - Make beds and put clothes and toys away. Turn blinds to let as much light in a possible. Put on lights if room is dark.
  • Bathrooms - Put out a clean hand towel, fresh soap and soapdish. Make sure toilet lid is down and tissue supply is adequate. Repair dripping faucets.
  • Kitchen - Most buyers take a long, hard look at the kitchen. Clean the oven, inside and out. Don't neglect the kitchen exhaust hood as buyers frequently check this area as a clue to general housekeeping.
  • Dining Room - Arrange inviting centerpiece. Consider setting the table with fine china and linen. Light chandelier.
  • Living Room/Family Room/Den - Straighten pictures on walls. Adjust couch cushions and throw pillows. Dispose of newspapers, drink containers, and polish tabletops. Light fireplace in winter.
  • Entryway - When exiting just before buyers arrive, turn around at front door and see what the prospect's first impression will be. What is the first thing you notice from that vantagepoint? Is it an asset?
  • Lights - Have good bulbs in every light socket, both inside and out. Repair or replace wall switches, outlets and light fixtures that don't work. Make sure the lamp, radio or any appliance, plugged into an outlet, works.
  • Soiled clothes -  Keep dirty laundry out of the living area. Place it in the utility room, garage or storage area. This should apply especially to a diaper pail.

Property Value - Factors that effect the value of your home

  • Location - Location is the most important factor when determining value.
  • Competition - Potential buyers will compare your property to competing properties. Buyers will determine value based upon sold properties or those that are still available in the area.
  • Timing -  Property values are effected by the current real estate market. The real estate market is always changing, therefore you should develop a flexible marketing plan which analyzes the current market and the individual features of the property.
  • Condition - The condition of the property effects the value and the speed of the sale. First impressions are everything. Potential buyers often make decisions based on emotion.
  • Pricing -  Pricing your home properly from the beginning will affect the length of time it will take to sell.

 

 


RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest
888-MisterHomes (647-8374)
© 1996-2008
Matt Hernacki/Dominic Caruso

 


Matt Hernacki

Dominic Caruso

Andrea Hernacki

www.MisterHomes.com 
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