Selling the House: Buy Replacements for Certain Things, Etc.

I don't think the grill makes a big deal, nor polishing good floors.

I've heard fly lady has good moving tips.

I would not buy another grill. Stuff like that isn't usually included in the sale of a house.
Window treatments and anything BOLTED in are. (Wine racks, medicine cabinets, etc.
Do you think the polished floors would impact the overall look of the house? It might entice offers, but it's not going to increase the value.
People want clean, clean, clean and well maintained.
Make a list of dates & maintenance & upgrades. That's what SS my house fast.

For packing. Go to somewhere like Michael's. They have a huge section of colored and patterned duct tape. Each room gets it's own color/pattern. That way when it comes time to unpack everything is color coded so it goes straight to the right room. You can go one step further and get colored sharpies to label with, using a different color for each room. Make sure you have a master list of what color is where that everyone can see.

If you can leave the grill there, do it. Most buyers won't expect anything that's not built in to be included in the sale. Alternatively, take great photos of everything, which will go on line with the listing. Definitely don't buy a replacement grill! The buyers may have one, or may not want the replacement you buy. I can't imagine that it will increase the purchase price. Most people can envision their own things there, bu if you have beautiful landscaping, that's enough.

I think people expect to paint and polish floors after you move out. Doing it now, unless there's damage, just inconveniences you and creates a lot of odors that turn people off.

For packing, write a general list of what's in the box - not just "kitchen" but "dishes" and "baking stuff" and "storage containers and pot holders" , then put the list on the SIDE of the box (not the top - when boxes are stacked, you can't read what's in them!). If you're really organized, you can type everything up on the computer. Label each box with a code for the room, and what number box it is for that room: so K1, K2, K3 are all kitchen stuff - on the computer you indicate which things went in K1. If you like to print things out, print 2 copies - one for the carton and 1 for a folder or notebook, and use dividers for each room. Don't just label things as "storage" - you'll go crazy trying to sort through them. Label "S1 - winter clothes" and "S2 - garden equipment". To try be more specific than "Books" too! It makes unpacking much much easier. Some people use different colored paper, if not by room, then at least by what floor in the new house things are going to (1st, second, basement, garage, attic), or write "GARAGE" in really big letters on the top of some sheets and "BASEMENT" on others, etc. Get a whole bunch of clear packing tape and a dispenser - really tape down the sheets on the boxes so nothing gets ripped off when things are stacked and hauled. If anything is stacked in the basement, make sure the label is facing out - instruct your movers that way.

You can get odd-sized boxes at places like Home Depot and the moving company - there are special boxes for flat screen TVs, for example, and large items like mops and brooms and curtain rods. Some are adjustable and can be modified for what you need.

Move your clothes in wardrobe boxes so everything hangs on hangers and goes directly from old closet to box to new closet.

Compare rates for the moving company storing some of your stuff vs. your own storage unit. See if you can get some free pallets (a lot of big stores give them away) so your boxes are not on the ground but up a few inches. If there's any flooding in the area, you don't want your bottom layer of boxes to get soaked!

When you're all done, put your boxes on Craigs list or make them available to your kids or your neighbors' kids - they love to create forts out of boxes!

Can you leave your grill out there and let the seller know it is not included? They can invision where they would put their grill. I wouldn't polish the floors. That sounds like a hassle. Just make sure everything looks clean and smells clean. Good luck!

When we moved I put color labels (DIFFERENT COLORS FOR EACH ROOM) on the boxes indicating where it was supposed to go in the new house. I put one on the top and one on two of the sides. On the most important (need to unpack first) I put stars on the label. Then when we moved, I put up the color labels on the door of the new rooms and the movers could leave the boxes without having to ask or me being asked to make tons of decisions on moving day. I would leave the grill so someone can visualize easier, but make sure it is on your real estate documents that the grill and the freezer ARE NOT INCLUDED. These are the documents that other realtors who show your house will be able to look at while they are showing the house. Good luck!

If the grill is built in to an outdoor kitchen, etc then you will need to be very specific in the paperwork if you want to keep it.

Most of the time, anything built in such as grills, drapes, ceiling fans, etc stay with the house.

In the 1st house we built, we had a very nice safe which was bolted to the foundation. Of course we left it there and when we built our current home, we had another good spot for a safe and we bought another one and bolted it to the foundation.

I agree with others, get rid of clutter.

I would clean the floors but that's just me.

Also, make sure you have a good realtor to walk you through all the steps so your paperwork is in good order.

J..

Some had asked about this a week ago, I think. there was a lot of great advice!!

Packing:

Get Rubbermaid tubs in different colors...different sizes. Enough for each person. Pack rooms and toys in those tubs. So when they come off the truck? You know which room they are going in. No need for labeling as the color says it all.

Get rid of EVERYTHING you have not used in the last six months or the kids have outgrown. DO NOT pack things that you will NOT use. Clothes too small? Donate or garage sale. won't be in those boots next winter? Donate or garage sale.

Items - you can state in your listing what items convey and what does NOT convey... Leave it in place. Just make sure it's CLEARLY stated what is conveying and what is NOT.

Get a home inspection done PRIOR to the listing...get any and all repairs done prior to listing.

Take care of the floors. It's worth every penny. I know I would NOT have purchased my home if I had to spend the money to re-do the hardwood floors.

If you are already putting things in boxes? If you have the clear tubs (there are some out there that are PERFECT for books) you will see what they are - no bugs, no water - no problems.

I would leave your current grill out as well as the full freezer, unless the freezer makes it look crowded. People don't expect a grill to be included. You should have a list of what is included (eg, appliances, if any are included) and it will be obvious that the grill and freezer are not on that list.

I think if the floors are very clean, and you use something nice like Bruce's hardwood cleaner on them (you are talking hardwood, right?), that will be enough. Otherwise, if you polish them up now, and then you get any little scratch on them when doing your final move out just before closing, it will be really obvious and could cause a problem at the last minute.

What I did buy when showing my house was 1 really nice matched towel set for each bathroom that I left on the towel racks and we didn't use, ever, and matching fluffy bathroom rugs. It didn't cost a lot, but it made the bathrooms look fresh.

I agree with the color coding for boxes, and make sure you write the room on at least 2 sides, not the top, so that when they are stacked up, you can still see where they go.

Your realtor should be going over all of this with you. In general, less is more when it comes to listing and showing a home. You want it to look spacious and clean, and you want buyers to be able to picture themselves living there. So usually realtors and stagers recommend you remove all photos, personal items, clutter and knick knacks. Clean out and organize closets, cabinets and other storage spaces. It's a great way to get started on your packing too!
You may or may not need to polish and paint (again, ask your realtor) but make sure everything is really CLEAN and shiny.

Make sure the Realtor knows absolutely what is going and what is staying. My sister fell in love with a house and they were in the last bit of paperwork for purchasing it and the selling Realtor let it slip that nothing at all was staying, not the stove, fridge, grills, curtains, blinds, nothing but the dishwasher was staying.

She realized she couldn't buy this house because she had sold her appliances with her house. She found another house a few weeks later that was so much better for less money. The new one has a pool, already had a storm shelter, and another bedroom so more square footage. She lucked out because the house she had to decline to buy was everything she thought she wanted.

Yes you should take care of the floors. That's the first thing they will notice! And make sure you have all the windows clean too. If you don't want to include your grill, just put on the paperwork that it is not included. You may have some people look at how nice your house is but decide that taking care of the floors isn't something they want to do either. Hope you sell it fast!

When we sold our home to move to Georgia, we made sure that everything was in tip-top shape.

I would NOT purchase a new grill or freezer unless they are staying with the home. It's a waste of money. Ensure that your realtor knows EXACTLY what is staying and make sure it's in the contract and listing. If your grill is built in to a back yard kitchen? I would NOT take it.

I see that it has been suggested to get a home inspection done and make any repairs found on the inspection, I cannot agree MORE with this! We did. We had some things that needed changing and our sale went smoothly - I would like to think in part because we did the inspection and there was nothing for them to do, but move in. am just going to copy and paste what I said to the other poster about what we did for moving...

When we sold our home to move to Georgia, I got rid of everything that we weren't using. I had several garage sales and donated what did not sell.

I have 4 boys, so I understand your plight. I had my boys select their top five toys. that's it. top 5...all the rest were either put in storage, sold or donated. I bought tubs (the rubbermaid kind with lids) and gave them each one to put their toys in.

I vacuum every night anyway. We have two dogs - one German Shepard and he's a shedder! I hired a cleaning service to come in every week. That helped me a lot. So at night before I went to bed, I made sure the counters were wiped down and dishes put away.

I put all pictures of the family in storage. As our real estate agent told us - it's no longer "your home". We went through room by room and took out stuff that was making a room look too small. We repainted every room. We spent about $10K in painting, staging, upgrades on appliances (found great deals on craigslist for newer kitchen appliances) and used quartz instead of granite for our kitchen and bathrooms.

We also had an inspection done to see if there were any problems we weren't aware of. Our heating system was less than 5 years old - it needed a "tune up" and there was a problem with some shingles on the roof. We repaired all of that. We also got all of the windows washed. Kept the drapes and blinds pulled back and let in a LOT of light.

We had two open houses and 4 showings. For each showing, it was easy as the kids had to put their toys in their tubs and the house was already clean from the cleaning crew I had hired. It was worth it. NOT to have to stress over it. Got the kids and dogs in the car and went to the mall and walked around.

Our home sold in less than 30 days for asking price.
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I cannot stress enough declutter..declutter...declutter. make the rooms look as big as possible. Some people don't need to hire a stager, we did. It was worth every penny...because our home sold fast.

Use different color duct tape on boxes if you don't want to purchase tubs. I personally don't like cardboard boxes. I think they attract pests and don't hold up as well as plastic tubs. I like the idea of color coded tubs...I wish I had thought of that...I just used masking tape and wrote their name on the tub.

1. do not spend a lot of money to sell your house.. our friend hired a interior decorator spent$$$$ and still the house didn't sell.. but in time the right buyer came by and was thrilled with the house and the location..

2. get rid of clutter.. rent the storage space... put junk in storage.. I might spend $30 on a new can of paint .. if you can paint a room yourself.. but I would not spend 100s of $$ on floor sanding and finishing..

talke to a realtor.. they will have tips for you.

Just make sure your realtor knows that the grill and freezer will not be staying, he/she can add it to the realtor notes. I would just make sure your floors are clean, the buyers can polish them later on.

As for packing I would take out ALL personal items. Potential buyers want to see themselves there not you and your family. Pack up what you don't need so that even the closets will appear roomy. This will also save you lots of time later on. I usually just mark the outside of the box from which room it came out of, but if you might need something from inside you can number them and write down on separate paper what is inside.

When showing be sure your home is clean and tidy with no strong odors (you don't want someone coming in and the house smells of cleaning solutions).

1. Keep the grill and the freezer. Leave it where it is for showings but be sure it's known by your listing agent that it will not stay.

2. If the floors really need a polish, call to find out how much it will cost and then offer prosepective buyers a floor polishing allowance. That way it can be done while the house is empty.

3. Labelling everything becomes a true pain in the butt. Go to the office supply store and buy packages of different colored stickers. A different color for each room.

4. While you're packing, purge all your junk. I had a dumpster delivered by the local trash company so I could put junk nobody would want right into the dumpster, and I called the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to come get all my donation items. DO NOT pack up and move anything that is junk, trash, too big/small. Streamline and organize so that your new home will be organized.

Remember, you're not selling a house, you're selling a lifestyle. Think about what sort of people would be in the market for your sort of house. Would it be young first home buyers? families? professionals? Then set up your house so that they can imagine living a beautiful life there. Happy BBQs in the yard? gourmet cooking in the kitchen? Family dinners? Set the scene for them.

We have never sold a home, so I am not help there. We bought our house a year ago, and the floors needed a little attention, but it didn't effect how much we were willing to pay for the house. So it's a good call on skipping the floor polishing.
As for packing, you might want to label EVERYTHING that is in the boxes as well. Maybe not every title of every book that is in there, but something like "Kids bedroom books" or "Books and photo albums". I know toward the end of our packing we ended up with random small things in one box. When we were packing up our laundry room we ended up with a box labeled "Laundry Room" but it had detergent, plant food, a few empty picture frames, a box of crayons (I have no idea why they were there), and an assortment of screw drivers and household tools. It would have been handy if it had all those things listed on the boxes when I was searching for them, before we were fully unpacked.

Around here houses are selling like mad, so no need for making it look super fantastic. What is your market doing? If hoses are moving fast, you don't have to do much.