FOR FREE INFORMATION ON PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE, CALL (703) 444-4600

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Looking for Qualified Home Inspectors or Qualified Home Repair People in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties? Call me at (703) 444-4600 or email Irene@realtyvirginia.net for more information. I'd love to help!

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A move means you face decorating adjustments in your present home as well as planning the personal décor for your new home. But decorating and accessorizing principles applied to market a house or condo differ from those applied when simply living in that same space.

In your present home, you need to depersonalize the décor and remove the stamp of your personal style. Instead of layering for warmth, a minimalist approach is recommended, which you'll see in many model homes.

So gather your creative energy and decorating talents, shift into high gear and steer toward the goal of broadening the appeal of the home you are selling before you focus on your new residence.

Broaden the Appeal of Your Home

Of course, you want the showings of your property to be positive. How can you make that happen? Well, start by assisting potential buyers in picturing themselves owning and living in your house. Remove your family pictures, trophies, monogrammed articles and signs at the door with your name on it. These accessories all convey that you live here. The buyers need to see the house as a home for them.

Buyers also need your help to visualize the intended use for the rooms they are viewing. If your dining room is currently being used as an office, it's time to turn it back to its intended use. Yes, home offices are a positive feature, but it is better to situate it in a smaller bedroom rather than offer a home with no dining room. This principle applies to all rooms that are currently being used in ways contrary to a standard floor plan.

Get Rid of Clutter

The next step is to reduce visual distractions. Collections of figurines, dolls, ducks and personal clutter may make you more comfortable living in your home, but they divert the buyer's attention from where you really want it to be.

Adopt that minimalist style and start your packing process. This will encourage the buyers to focus on the positive features of the home rather than your possessions.

How do you bring attention to those positive features? Effective furniture placement is the simplest way. For example, to showcase your fireplace, the preferred arrangement would have your sofa and chairs flanking the sides of the fireplace rather than facing it directly. This will create a direct line of vision to this attractive element.

Next, open your fireplace screen and place greenery in the firebox to add depth and appeal. Creatively placed artwork can also enhance a focal point. Also, try positioning your plants and greenery near windows as it will help draw the outside in and visually enlarge the room. Use placement to show off all the dominant focal points. Remember to open your window treatments to allow maximum light as well as feature attractive views.

Knock! Knock! Who's There?

Your front door is the most important place "in" your house. Buyers pause there the longest and gather clues as to what to expect inside. Entice them! Add healthy plants with bright color. Add a welcome mat that is new and fresh. Place a lovely, seasonal ornament on the door (which you have cleaned to a shine or applied fresh paint).

Do you have a porch? Add an inviting chair. First impressions count and this is an important spot that must be remembered and receive your best decorative touches.

The Most Bang for Your Decorating Buck

In many cases, investing a little decorating money when marketing a home is recommended. The best place to start is to freshen the paint on your walls. The impact on prospective buyers can be amazing. Choose a neutral paint color of ivory, beige or light taupe. Millwork and trim, if painted, should be a lighter shade to show some contrast.

Is your carpeting showing soil and wear? Sometimes professional cleaning and restoration will make a sufficient difference. However, does your rug color have broad appeal or does it make a strong personal statement? Consider installing new carpet. It is normally very cost effective.

Again, the color should be a neutral one that is in the same family as the wall paint. Coordinate color choices with any permanent surfaces in the home, such as tile floors or counter tops. If you are lucky enough to find hardwood floors under the carpet, restore them rather than recarpet. Hardwood floors definitely increase the value of the home.

Work with your Realtor to create a list of staging projects that you’ll ideally complete before showing your home. Then get estimates for jobs you can’t do yourself such as painting, household repairs or landscaping. If your financial resources are limited your agent can help you prioritize your list. If this whole process seems daunting, you can always reduce your anxiety and stress by hiring a professional, such as a real estate stager, to assist you. This full-service approach is worth it to sellers who can afford it but have no time to deal with the project.

Staging will help your home sell faster and for a higher price. It’s not a must but it makes good sense. Also consider that real estate agents like to bring their buyers to homes that show well. The more your home is shown, the more likely you are to have a quick, profitable sale.

FOR FREE INFORMATION ON PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE, CALL (703) 444-4600 or 1-800-316-SELL - EXTENSION 3020.

The right to have inspections comes with the challenge of hiring diligent and competent inspectors. Finding the right person isn't as easy as it may seem because in most states, just about anyone with an official-looking checklist and a flashlight can set up shop as a home inspector. The exception to this free-for-all is that special training is required to perform inspection or remediation work for such potentially hazardous materials as asbestos and lead-based paint.

Your Realtor will be able to recommend several well-qualified home inspectors. The tricky part is selecting the best candidates among the group. Here are six of the many factors to consider:

1. Qualifications. Ask open-ended questions about the inspector's training and experience as it relates to home inspections. The inspector should have some training in construction and building maintenance standards and a track record of experience in the home inspection business. Depending on the location and age of the home, you may need to hire an inspector who's qualified to deal with asbestos, lead-based paint or other potentially hazardous substances. In addition, you may also need to hire a termite inspector, geologist, structural engineer, swimming pool contractor, etc.
2. Scope. Ask the inspector which components of the property are -- and are not -- included in his or her inspection. Will the inspector check out the roof? How about the swimming pool? The built-in appliances?
3. Sample report. Ask the inspector to provide a sample of his or her checklist or inspection report. Does the report include a narrative description or just check-off boxes? Is the information presented and explained clearly and completely? Does the report highlight any problems that could present a safety hazard?
4. References. Ask the inspector for the names and telephone numbers of several homeowners who have used his or her services. Call those people and ask them whether they were satisfied with the report and other services they received. Be sure to talk to some people who have owned their home for a few months or longer. Some problems overlooked by an inspection can take a while to surface.
5. Memberships. Many good inspectors don't belong to a national or state association of home inspectors. However, all else being equal, an association membership is often a plus. These groups provide their members with training and certification programs and up-to-date information about industry practices and inspection standards.
6. Errors and omissions. Even top-notch inspectors are only human and can make errors or overlook problems they probably should have noticed. Ask about the company's policy in such situations. Does the company carry insurance for errors and omissions? Does the company or individual inspector stand behind the report?

Materials can be defective and details can be overlooked. Everyone has a bad day and human error routinely occurs even on the best built of homes.

Possible problems are: faulty roof installation, improper fireplace construction, errors in electrical wiring, excessive water pressure, fire safety violations, unsafe venting of heating exhaust, leaking drains, poor site drainage, plumbing hook-ups, etc. Your builder and contractor guaranties can be utilized only if you are aware of a problem and then defects can be brought to the builders attention. Considering the size of the investment, assumptions about quality of workmanship can be financially fatal. It is much better to discover problems before than after the close of escrow.

By hiring a reputable inspector you can feel confident that you are not buying "A Money Pit". Your inspection will save you dollars over the years and make home ownership a more enjoyable experience. You will also come away with information and tips from the inspector on how to keep your home in good repair.

Sellers must furnish either a Disclaimer or Disclosure Statement to purchaser. They must use a form developed by the Virginia Real Estate Board and must furnish the statement prior to final ratification of the sales contract (when all items on contract have been signed and initialed by all parties to the contract).

IF YOU DESIRE A COPY OF THE FULL TEXT OF VIRGINIA'S RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DISCLOSURE ACT, ASK AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES, AN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, YOUR REALTOR, OR THEIR BROKERAGE OFFICE.

According to the Virginia Property Owners' Association Act the seller must represent whether the property is located within a development which is subject to the POA Act and if it is, provide a current property owners' association packet (available from the property owner's association) to the buyer.

Seller must also represent if the property is or is not a condominium unit. If it is, the seller is required to obtain from the unit owners' association a current Resale Certificate and provide it to the purchaser.

According to the Consumer Real Estate Settlement Protection Act, you have the right to select a settlement agent to handle the closing of your transaction.