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Contact Nancy Comenitz Real Estate

If you have any questions or need more detailed information, please feel free to contact me via phone at 617.232.4186 or fill out the form to let us know how we can help with your real estate needs.

Office Location 77 Pond Avenue,
Brookline, MA
Phone: (617) 232-4186
Fax: (617) 232-7954

                      Preparing Your Home For Sale

My goal is not simply to sell your home, but to help you realize the best price in the shortest period of time.

A house that shows well appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well cared for home because if what they see is maintained, they feel what they cannot see has probably also been maintained. Setting the stage to show and sell the home is a two-phase project.  First, the things you have to do before you put the house on the market, and secondly the things you need to do before every showing.
 

Emotion vs. Reason

Buying real estate is a very emotional decision. When buyers are viewing the home and making the decision they are looking at the home as their home. They are placing themselves, their family, and furniture visually in the home before they make the offer to purchase. In order to do so they need you to de-personalize the house. If you do not consciously make this decision, you can inadvertently create a situation where it takes longer to sell your property.
 

De-Personalizing the House

The reason you want to make your home "anonymous" is because you want buyers to view it as their potential home. When a potential home buyer sees your family photos hanging on the wall, it puts your own brand on the home and momentarily shatters their illusions about living in the house themselves.

Put away family photos, sports trophies, collectible items, knick-knacks, and souvenirs. Put them in a box. Rent a storage area for a few months and put the box in the storage unit. 

Do not just put the box in the attic, basement, garage or a closet. Part of preparing a house for sale is to remove "clutter," and that is the next step in preparing your house for sale. 

Removing the Clutter, Though You May Not Think of it as Clutter

This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to every-thing in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. If you home has too much furniture, overflowing closets, crowded kitchen & countertops, potential buyers will not be able to see your home. They will not buy something they cannot see. You want your home to look as spacious as possible. Try to look at your home through the eyes of a buyer.

Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements.  You want as much open clear space as possible, so every extra little thing needs to be cleared away.

Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas of clutter, as long as you can accept their views without getting defensive. Let your agent help you, too. 

Kitchen Clutter

The kitchen is a good place to start removing clutter, because it is an easy place to start. First, get everything off the counters, even the toaster. Put the toaster in a cabinet and take it out when you use it. Find a place where you can store everything in cabinets and drawers. Of course, you may notice that you do not have cabinet space to put everything. Clean out everything including the dishes, pots and pans that rarely get used. Put them in a box and put that box in storage.   

 

kitchen_before_300                     kitchen_after_300

                                       
                                                                                                                                               

Homebuyers will open all your cabinets and drawers, especially in the kitchen. They want to be sure there is enough room for their "stuff." If your kitchen cabinets, pantries, and drawers look jammed full, it sends a negative message to the buyer and does not promote an image of plentiful storage space.
 
The best way to do that is to have as much "empty space" as possible. For that reason, if you have a "junk drawer," get rid of the junk. If you rarely used a crock pot, put it in storage. Do this with every cabinet and drawer. Create open space.  If you have a large amount of foodstuffs crammed into the shelves or pantry, begin using them, especially canned goods. Canned goods are heavy. You don't want to be lugging them to a new house, or paying a mover to do so. Let what you have on the shelves determine your menus and use up as much as you can.

Beneath the sink is very critical, too. Make sure the area beneath the sink is as empty as possible, removing all extra cleaning supplies. You should scrub the area down as well, and determine if there are any tell-tale signs of water.

closet_clutter_180     clean_closet_187                         Closets        

Closets are great for accumulating clutter, though you may not think of it as clutter. We are talking about extra clothes and shoes you rarely wear but cannot bear to be without. Do without these items for a couple of months by putting them in a box, because these items can make your closets look "crammed full."  Throw away those empty shoe boxes that only collect dust. 

Furniture Clutter

Many people have too much furniture in certain rooms; not too much for your own personal living needs, but too much to give the illusion of space that a homebuyer would  like to see. Remove excess and large furniture, the rooms will look larger. Remove clutter and furniture from narrow hallways to give a more open feeling.  A buyer needs to be able to mentally place their own furniture in each room. 

Storage Area Clutter

Basements, garages, attics, and sheds accumulate not only clutter, but junk. These areas should be as empty as possible so that buyers can imagine what they would do with the space. Hang as much as you can on the garage walls. Remove anything that is not essential and take it to storage storage area or have a garage sale.

* Store to door storage numbers at end of article. 

 

                                                 Fixing Up the Interior 
 

Buyers expect everything in their new home to operate properly.  Buyers definitely notice and likely magnify minor maintenance problems that have been ignored for months or years. These repairs may seem small, but left undone they can lead buyers to question the amount of care you have given the house. Deferred maintenance in a home often brings down the price for buyers.

bd21300__15 All your sink fixtures should look shiny and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones where needed.  Don't buy something fancy. This can be accomplished inexpensively. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers. It is not difficult at all.                                                                                                                                               bd21300__15 Check to make sure you have good water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. If you have a difficult stain to remove, one trick is to hire a cleaning crew to go through and clean your home on a one-time basis. They seem to be wonderful at making stains go away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  bd21300__15 Inspect and repair if necessary the heating, cooling and alarm systems. Have your furnace serviced                                                                                                                                                                                                bd21300__15 Check all the ceilings for water stains. Sometimes old leaks leave stains, even after you have repaired the leak. Of course, if you do have a leak, you will have to get it repaired, whether it is a plumbing problem or the roof leaks.                                                                                                                                                 bd21300__15 You should do the same for walls, looking for not only stains, but also areas where dirt has accumulated and you just may not have noticed.                                                                                                                                                                             bd21300__15 If the basement has an odor of mildew or animal, paint the floor. Check the garage floor for sign of oil and paint the floor if necessary.                                                                                                                                                     bd21300__15 Painting can be your best investment when selling your home. It is not a very expensive operation and often you can do it yourself. Do not choose colors based on your own preferences, but based on what would appeal to the widest possible number of buyers. You should almost always choose an off-white color because white helps your rooms appear bright and spacious.                                                                                                                                                                            bd21300__15 Unless your carpet appears old and worn, or it is definitely an outdated style or color, you probably should do nothing more than hire a good carpet cleaner. If you do choose to replace it, do so with something inexpensive in a fairly neutral color. If you have hardwood floors underneath the old carpet, just throw the carpet away.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    bd21300__15 Repair or replace broken floor tiles, but do not spend a lot of money on anything. Buffing and applying a coat of polyurethane on a hardwood floor can help some scratch marks.                                                                                                                                            bd21300__15 Check all of your windows to make sure they open and close easily. If not, a spray of WD40 often helps. Make sure there are no cracked or broken windowpanes. If there are, replace them before you begin showing your home.                                                                                                                                                                                                   bd21300__15 Do the same things with the doors, make sure they open and close properly, without creaking. If they do, a shot of WD40 on the hinges usually makes the creak go away. Be sure the doorknobs turn easily, and that they are cleaned and polished to look sharp. As buyers go from room to room, someone opens each door and you want to do everything necessary to create a positive impression.  A fresh coat of paint on a front door looks great.                                                                                                                                                            bd21300__15 For those who smoke, you might want to minimize smoking indoors while trying to sell your home. You could also purchase an ozone spray that helps to remove odors without creating a masking odor. Clean your drapes if someone smokes.                                                                                                                                               bd21300__15 Pets of all kinds create odors that you may have become used to, but are immediately noticeable to those with more finely tuned senses. For those with cats, be sure to empty kitty litter boxes daily. There are also products that you can sprinkle in a layer below the kitty litter that helps to control odor. For those with dogs, keep the dog outdoors as much as possible. You might also try sprinkling carpet freshener on the carpet on a periodic basis.                                                                                                                                            bd21300__15 During a showing place a piece of lemon down a disposal and grind it.                                                                                                                                                              .bd21300__15 Make sure the caulking grout in the tub and shower are fresh. Refresh a worn toilet seat. A new toilet, shower curtain and bath rug always looks great. 

 

Small defects become a big turnoff for home buyers                       by Ilyce R Glink                                                                             

 
 
                                   Fixing Up the Exterior 

 

When putting your home up for sale your first concern is the exterior.  If the outside or curb appeal looks good people will want to see what is in the inside.  Within 15 seconds a buyer has already developed an attitude toward your property. That is why establishing the first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale. Ninety percent of all buyers are searching the Internet before they contact a Realtor. The exterior picture of your home will determine whether they will want an appointment to view the interior. So take a walk across the street and take a good look at your house.

bd21300__15 Is your landscaping at least average for the neighborhood? If it is not, buy a few bushes and plant them. Do not put in trees. Mature trees are expensive, and you will not get back your investment. Also, mature trees do not really add much to the appearance value of the home.                                                                                                                                                         bd21300__15 If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers and plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating a favorable first impression.                                                                                                                                              bd21300__15 Your lawn should be evenly cut, freshly edged, well watered, and free of brown spots. If there are problems with your lawn, you should probably take care of them before working on the inside of your home. This is because certain areas may need re-soding, and you want to give it a chance to grow so    that re-sod areas are not immediately apparent. Plus, you might want to give fertilizer enough time to     be effective.                                                                                                                                                       bd21300__15 Always rake up loose leaves and grass cuttings.                                                                                                                                                   bd21300__15 The big decision is whether to paint or not to paint. When you look at your house from across the street, does it look tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is often a very good investment and really spruces up the appearance of a house, adding dollars to offers from potential homebuyers.                                                                                                                                                    bd21300__15 As for the roof, if you know your house has an old leaky roof, replace it. If you do not replace a leaky roof, you are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want a new roof, anyway. Otherwise, wait and see what the home inspector says. Why spend money unnecessarily?                                                                                                                                                    bd21300__15 The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or spa, keep it freshly maintained and constantly cleaned. For those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of dog "poop". If you have swing sets or anything elaborate for your kids, it probably makes more sense to remove them (if they are old fashioned) than to leave them in place. They take up room, and you want your backyard to appear as spacious as possible, especially in newer homes where the yards are not as large.                                                                                                                                                          bd21300__15 The front door should be especially sharp, since it is the entryway into the house. Polish the door fixture so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get that done.

 

doors_693

 

bd21300__15 If you have a cute little plaque or shingle with your family name on it, remove it, even if it is just on the mailbox.  Get a new plush door mat, too.                                                                                                                                             bd21300__15 Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly. 
 
 
If you are thinking about doing a major improvement before you sell your home take a look at
the chart that compares the job vs. the cost recouped for homes sold in the Boston area for
the 2008-2009 year.
Click here for the Cost vs. Value Report                                
 
 

Home Staging is the very best proven way to get top dollar for your home as you prepare it for sale.
Homes that are Staged sell faster and for more money! This is because staging  sets the scene
throughout the house to create immediate buyer interest in the property.  This will then lead to your
selling for the highest possible price in today's market.

 
 


kitchen_before2_288            kitchen_after-1_288

 

                                               Redecorators

This is a sampling of one-day decorators and one- day decorating resources. Services include remaking a room using the furniture and accessories you already own, and make a list of suggested improvements.  They will help you reduce clutter and help you organize (could be more than one-day service). 

                          livingroom_before_250                livingroom_after_454

                          before_eating_area_500                 after_eating_area_405
                         g_kitchenbefore_250                 kitchen_area_330

                                              

                                                      On The Move Interiors
                                        A full-service interior design firm in the Boston area
                                                   Shiela R. Selby 617-277-9422
                                                      srselby@otminteriors.com
                                                     http://www.otminteriors.com/

 

                                                Pamela Markson Interiors
                             Redorating, Uncluttering, Accessorizing, Rearranging, Staging
                                      Used often by Newton and Brookline Brokers
508-                                                           508-655-3330
                                                          Cell: 508-277-8180
                                                    pmarkson@pmarkson.com
                                                         http://pmarkson.com/

The Redecorators
Interior decorating,design, and pre-sale staging
Dotty Volpe   617-722-9940
Janet Dennis 617-241-2970
Email:redecor@tiac.net
www.Theredecorators.com


Fresh Interiors, LLC
Complete Home Staging Services to stage and sell furnished and unfinished
homes faster and for more profit. Furniture and decorative accessory leasing available.
Gina Gatter and Jana Cook
2 Central Street, Framingham, MA 01701
508-333-4397
FreshInteriors@gmail.com
http://www.freshinteriorshome.com/


Staging Holmes, Inc
"Staging Holmes, Inc stages properties with the principles of marketing a product. The first
principle is to make the online photos of your home look like pages out of a magazine."
Thomas Holmes-LaFever
985 Trapelo Road Suite 17
Waltham, MA 02452
781-891-7355  fax 781-891-7357
http://www.stagingholmes.com

_________________________________________________________________________

 

General Home Repair:

Mr. Handyman
We specialize in small jobscan greatly increase your happiness and improve your quality of life.
We pay careful attention to detail and provide high quality workmanship
Call: 781-424-4561
Email:homespecialistsinc@verizon.net
Fax: 781-634-0486
www.home-specialists-inc.com



Home Maintenance Organization
Repair,maintenance,grounds keeping,snow removal, painting, security, risk management
345 Boylston St.
Newton, MA 02459
1-877-207-1110
Fax: 617-964-1115
Email:info@homemaintenanceorg.com
www.homemaintenanceorg.com

_____________________________________________________________________________


Senior Citizen Services:

House Works
Solution for Independent Living
Responsible and reliable home care services that help seniors live independently,
no matter how challenging the circumstances.
home repair, modifications, moving to a retirement home, transportation, cleaning
One Gateway Center Suite 902
Newton, MA 02458
617-928-1010
1.800.928.3393
fax: 617-244-8256
Email: info@sb-ventures.com
www.house-works.com
A Division of SolomonBalis Ventures


Independent Living Solutions
Assessment, Care Planning, Service Coordination and Monitoring, Advocacy, Consultation/Evaluation,Caregiver Coaching, Family Support Group.
19 Central Street, Suite D
Byfield, MA 01922
978-463-0090
Email: eileen@ilsolutions.org
Http://www.ilsolutions.org/

 ____________________________________________________________________________

Rubbish Removal:

AAA Fast Trash Removal
Commercial D, Dumpster, and Bulk StopWest Roxbury, MA(617) 325-7779


Barisano Brothers

Rick Barisano 50 Pembroke St.Newton, MA  2458(617) 965-0094


1-800-Got Junk
________________________________________________________________

Mobile Storage Units

Storage units brought to your front door, You fill them up,
and then they are stored until you need them.

Door to Door Storage & Moving
888-410-3667
http://www.doortodoor.com/


Store to Door Mobile
888-867-2800
http://www.storetodoor.com/


Door Step Storage
1-800-508-8082
http://www.Doorstepstorage.com

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