Hatch Property Management and Sales

Nothing is more important to a landlord than the peace of mind that the individuals living in their home are treating it as good as, if not better, than you would. Choosing a “bad” tenant can cost you thousands of dollars so it is imperative you choose wisely.

Holidays are over, ornaments and décor are boxed back up and stored away. Everything has been cleaned and I’m sure the home feels slightly empty as you look around. Will this be the year you decide to move? If so, where should you focus your time and money in preparation for a Spring sale? To help you prioritize, here is a list of 10 things the Hatch team advises their sellers.  1. Call the Hatch Team to schedule a walk through for a free professional assessment of current market conditions based on how your house is now, and what you could potentially get for the sale of your home with specific recommendations. 2. Start with the basics of decluttering and depersonalizing. Examples of this are: clear the outside of the fridge, removing all photos, magnets, etc., clear off the counters in the kitchen and baths putting everything out of sight, take down personalized photos from the walls, minimize the décor on shelves and walls, clear off what you have out on your kitchen counters, etc. 3. Pack up all the things you don’t use on a regular basis. This is a great time to go through your kids’ toy boxes and donate/throw away/pack everything they no longer use, organize your office space and dispose of old files and clutter. 4. Once the walls are clear, determine if the walls need to be painted. Is the current color outdated or are the walls scuffed from years of wear and tear? Let us help guide you to choosing a color that works well with your floors. Also, give your walls a pop by painting all the trim work a bright white - door frames, window frames, floor boards, crown molding, etc. Also, how do the doors look? Would a coat of paint give it a fresh look? 5. Be consistent with your light switches, outlets and cover plates. Keep it all consistent. White is the most basic, and also a less expensive route to go that gives the entire home a new look. 6. Floors - what condition are your floors in? Are there stains on the carpet? Scratches on the wood? Broken floor tiles? It may be a quick fix with a professional cleaning of the carpets, sanding the wood floors and adding a new stain, replacing only the broken tiles and adding in fresh grout. 7. Bathrooms - sometimes just a replacement of the vanity and lighting fixture will help give it a new appealing look. Peel off all the caulking around the tub and replace it with a fresh new coat. 8. Kitchen - first determine if it is a total gut job or if a few minor changes would do the trick. Some kitchens just need a coat of paint on old cabinets, new hardware for the handles, updated stainless steel appliances and a new sink to give it the appealing look of a modern kitchen. Whereas others are a lost cause and it’s time to call in a contractor. The Hatch team is skilled in working with contractors to keep them on schedule and making sure the work being done is at a high standard. 9. Exterior Curb Appeal is a must. A few suggestions are to paint the front door to match the siding/brick/shingles/shutters/etc, better. Another option is to add in new mulch just before you go live on the market in the spring, plant some flowers that are a good compliment to the house color. Trim back the bushes and trees and edge the sidewalk and driveway. Click here for more ideas! 10. Do a walk around the property to see if there are any eye sores. Is the fence falling over? Are there miscellaneous items sitting around the shed or yard area that should be put away? Are there patches of grass that aren’t growing? Any pet debris that needs cleaned? Kids toys that can be placed in a shed or garage? Does the garage need to be cleared out to show a potential buyer how much room there is for a car or two to get parked inside? Hatch Property Management and Sales is here to help you every step of the way! Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation. 703.966.2232.