In The News
HOME SELLERS' HAPPY ENDING: SMART HOME PREPARATION
----Scott McMillin Gives Tips on How to Move a Resale Faster----
Many homeowners who desire to move up are eager to take advantage of today's appealing buyer's market. But they are also fearful of the challenges in putting their existing house up for sale.
Scott McMillin, co-chairman and CEO of The Corky McMillin Companies and a veteran local real estate authority, said in an interview that the easy, can't-miss solution is smart sale preparation.
"Every seller wants a fast sale at maximum price," said McMillin, who grew up in the real estate business as the son of the venerable Corky McMillin. "It takes some hard-headed, unemotional thinking, a bit of modest spending and maybe a couple of weeks of elbow grease to prepare a home to achieve this. But it's amazing how many would-be sellers completely overlook it.
"You love your home just the way it is. But will somebody new to the neighborhood, maybe new to the city, maybe even new to the country, feel the same? Step aside for a minute and think of your home as a product that needs to attract a customer."
There are really two steps, said the 25-year real estate executive. Step One is to spruce up the house to bring it to a reasonably acceptable general level of repair, tidiness and cleanliness. Step Two is to do a little "staging" that takes the house beyond acceptable to where you'd want it if the Governor was coming to spend a week at your home. Here are McMillin's key recommendations for each step.
GENERAL PREPARATIONS
Remove highly personal items: Will all of your children's much-hugged stuffed animals, for example, really have the same appeal for strangers? One or two family photos can remain, but not much more. Things like plaques, Little League trophies and treasures from the County Fair need to be hidden away too. Consider a short-term storage rental for these items, plus excess furniture, clothing and linens; most of your children's toys, attic and garage collections that can't just be discarded or sold at a garage sale.
Eliminate all clutter: Store or toss those lovable mementoes and knickknacks except for items that might be considered artwork (and that doesn't mean ceramic sculptures made by a first-grader). Doing this now is just getting a head start on the eventual moving effort. Everything gone from kitchen surfaces, refridgerator exteriors and sinks except perhaps any fine utensils like a copper chafing dish or a handsome pepper grinder. Neatly organize bookshelves and leave some vacant spaces here and there. Organize closets and cabinet drawers. Clutter-free and lightly furnished rooms show bigger and let shoppers exercise their imaginations.
Fix those interior annoyances: No burned out bulbs, broken light switches, leaky faucets, frozen waste disposals, loose door hardware, cracked counter tiles or grungy grout, greasy stoves/vent hoods or ovens, lingering odors from spicy dinners or pets, gloomy spots due to insufficient light, slow-draining basins or tubs, unpredictable toilets, holes in drywall, squeaky doors, stuck drawers, torn screens, peeling wallpaper, and cracked, pitted or hard-to-open windows. If the family rebel has purple bedroom walls, repaint. The rebel is probably sick of them already. If this workload seems too heavy, ask your realty agent for a name or two of persons who can help.
Heighten curb appeal: Without this, you've lost the game before it's started. As long as the exterior looks reasonably attractive, a homeowner needn't spend money for a repainting. But some touchup here and there, such as on exposed timbers, fascia trim, rain gutters and any rusty vent pipes, pays off. Scrub stains on stucco with a mild detergent. Keep the lawn mowed and edged and shrubbery under control. Keep trash barrels, yard tools, hoses, and hanging windchimes and whirligigs out of view (but one or two hanging flowerpots provide a nice accent, as well as some freshly planted flowers in front). And, for sure, get rid of those oil patches in the driveway.
THOSE EXTRA TOUCHES
Use the fireplace: What says homey more than a crackling fireplace. In all but summer and early fall, have the fireplace burning when viewers are due. Perhaps a bottle of wine, two glasses, and some cheese and crackers on the coffee table in front.
Kitchen niceties: A stylish allure is given by a pretty bowl of handsome fruit and, say, a baguette in a bag from a premium store. You might wish to set either the kitchen or dining-room table as though guests were expected, complete with cloth napkins and your best flatware. Some agents suggest cookies just baked for that irresistible aroma, but home sellers may decline this every time shoppers are coming. It’s easier just to boil some mulling spices in a saucepan.
Dazzle with flowers: As with the home exterior, few things work better than a modest display of flowers, say in the dining room and living room. Keep them fresh. For inside, supermarket flowers do the job fine.
nviting bathrooms: Spotlessly clean, of course, with everybody's favorite shampoo and other personal products tucked neatly behind cabinet doors. Keep some unused decorator soap to display on those big showing days, along with attractive towels and new shower curtains.
Master bedrooms ready for occupancy: That means looking like no one ever lived here before. Centerpiece is a beautifully arranged bed, with extra pillows, shams, bolsters or whatever, such as those on display in fine furniture stores or builders’ model homes (the latter always worth visiting for inspiration). Consider adding a nice breakfast tray with napkin, flatware and perhaps a bud vase.
Minimize and rearrange furniture: Keep furniture to a minimum level for practicality. Think like a decorator and redo living and family rooms for best eye appeal, with chairs and sofas perhaps at some jaunty angles and not smack against a wall. Definitely no pet accessories on display, and best to keep cats and dogs out of view, if possible, or better still take them with you during an important showing.
Light sells: Just about every light in the house should be on. You want people to be able to see your castle, from inside and on drive-bys, and light is cheerful. Open curtains and drapes wide, unless an unattractive view needs to be obscured, in which case a sheer fabric may serve both ends. Make sure windows and screens stay clean.
Accessory colors add zest -- While neutral hues are best for interior walls, a few bright splashes are great for things such as curtains, bed coverings, cushions, table napkins and small rugs. But beware of color clashes, even from room to room. Art on walls is great, but some sellers overlook the fact that bizarre themes, rock posters and religious or political statements can be off-putting to some people. Better safe than sorry here.
"There couldn't be a better time to buy a move-up home than right now in this buyer's market, which may well be ending by midyear," Scott McMillin said. "As always, most smart buyers go for the maximum-priced home they can afford, consistently a better investment. The best way to do this is to get top dollar for your former residence. And this means good home preparation and careful staging."
Founded in 1960 by the late Corky McMillin, one of California's most honored community builders and civic leaders, the McMillin family business repeatedly earns top rankings for excellence among both the public and building industry peers. The firm is led today by Corky's two sons, Scott and Mark, both of whom have been active in company leadership roles for nearly three decades.
Demonstrating strength through diversity, The Corky McMillin Companies include McMillin Land Development, McMillin Homes, McMillin Commercial, McMillin Mortgage and McMillin Realty. The overall firm offers a full range of in-house services to afford buyers unsurpassed performance and a truly one-stop home-buying opportunity.
McMillin Realty is one of the largest independently owned real estate companies in Southern California. Offices are strategically placed to provide the most convenient, knowledgeable and effective residential and commercial real estate services available.