So here's my thought - let's keep each other motivated! If you care to play along, list the next few things on your "To Do" list for readying your house for market. When you've completed one, post about it.
We can cheer each other on, poke when necessary, and brainstorm if there are roadblocks.
I'll go first -
1. Arrange plumber to fix disposal 2. Get estimate for redoing insulation in basement 3. Remove tree branches at the bottom of the yard. 4. Hang bedroom, office, and basement doors. 5. Install new garage door.
Who's next?
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." -Walt Whitman
Today I accomplished something from my list - got a second carpet estimate for my 3 kids bedrooms and closets. First estimate was $2K, this one was $1100!!! So I scheduled it! Yay!!! Now I HAVE to clean out all three kids' closets - I have no choice!
My friend who is very handy and has been helping me paint, etc., is on vacation next week and has offered to spend some time over here during the week working on stuff.
My list: 1) Call hardwood floor guy to see if messed part of my hardwood floor is fixable. 2) Get storage unit and start moving stuff from basement into it as well as other packed up stuff. 3) Pack said stuff from closets and basement (guess that should be #2 lol) 4) Powerwash back patio and backside of house. 5) Install quarterround at bottom of baseboards (my friend will do that this week)
I'm SO pleased the carpet is in the works because that will force me to get the packing and cleaning out stuff done that I've been avoiding.
Above all, be the heroine, not the victim. - Nora Ephron
It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. - J. K. Rowling
And you reminded me that I have to add another task.
6. Rent storage unit and move out tubs/boxes that are already packed plus excess furniture.
ETA: Yea for helpful friends with vacation time to spare!!!
[This message edited by nowiknow23 at 5:22 PM, April 21st (Saturday)]
Divorced 1/17/2013
"Diamonds aren't a girl's best friend, freedom is."
Congrats discombobulated!!! I hope I can post something similar soon!!!
Thanks nik, this is a motivating thread.
I'll miss this place. At first I wanted to leave so badly due to the memories, but now that he's been gone, it finally starts to feel like my own and dd's. Oh well.
Then he doesn't have to come to the house, you can give some nice college boys some pizza money, and the basement mountain will be gone.
Good luck with the listing!
persevere: not sure what you mean regarding the delay being of potential benefit to him? he is - thus far - not laying any claim to the equity being more his than mine. Is that what you mean?
Clean, clean, clean, and fix everything you can
I rented a dumpster and no joke filled it twice in one day with crap I didn't even know I had but had no intention of bringing to my new house.
I cleaned like mad for about a month, every closet was gutted, cupboard, windows, curtains...if I couldn't stuff it in the washer I wiped it down.
I also invested about 100 bucks on the front veranda and put a nice light and very colourful planter out there. That made it cheerful when somebody was coming to the front door.
Also got a storage unit on Friday and put some boxes and extra dining chairs in it. Another good check mark.
Step by step I will get there....
(I'm posting here to stop that overwhelming "how will I ever get this done" feeling...lol)
Getting rid of all clutter is essential! That lovely piece you picked up from the antique market, spent hours paint stripping to perfection and now sits in pride of place with your favourite scented candles on it and picture of Grandma, will mean ZILCH to prospective buyers. They only see the space and want to imagine what their furniture will look like in it.
2. Fresh coat of paint (neutral) on as many walls as possible. If you paint the window frames, for God sake make sure you can open them afterwards (mistake No. 1 by Ellejay). Have painting finished at least a week before Open. Ventilate the house to get the smell out. If the buyers think you've just done it to sell, they usually start looking for cracks (especially in an old house).
3. Make sure you have a couple of vases of fresh flowers around the house in Open Day. If the house takes longer than two weeks to sell, you might want to change the water and replace the rotting stems and dead flower heads.
4. If the garden is a mess, just get it to a tidy stage. Don't spend a fortune on planting a botanical garden. Buy pots of bright annuals and place them strategically around the front and back gardens. At least you can take them with you when you vacate. If you have lawn, water, water, water and mow the day before viewing.
4. Music. On Open Days or Private Inspections, have some soft music playing at a low level. Enya works wonders. A few scented tea-lights here and there add ambience. Don't leave any near the curtains on a breezy day (mistake No. 2 by Ellejay).
5. Make sure the dog bowl is down the end of the garden, not somewhere on view. More importantly, make sure the dog is out of sight at viewing times. If they are savaged by fleas once you've left - remember -THEY brought them with them.
6. If you have an old property and are worried about the odd mouse or two making an appearance and taking a bow during viewing times, set a few mousetraps under the kitchen sink and any other likely places at least two weeks beforehand. Make sure you remember to remove them all before viewing. Nothing like the sound of a trap going off and bouncing in the air to put prospective buyers off. (Mistake No. 3 by Ellejay)
7. Repair loose door handles, replace broken downpipes, broken fences or anything that the prospective buyer can see as they walk up the path. If it can't be repaired in time, just chuck it out (unless it's the roof of course).
I'm sure I have more practical suggestions but it's late in Oz and I'm tired. Despite my flippancy, I sold my house last year within a month, got rid of 25 years worth of surplus crap, painted, planted, cleaned, repaired, laid lawn and put up a back fence all with the help of my neighbours and kids. It added about $40K at auction to the buying price. It can be done.
Back later. Good luck everyone.
EJ
