Guest Author
No matter your political beliefs or party registration, and regardless of who your favorite candidates are in this 2018 election season, you have an opportunity to be one of the biggest winners if you’re getting ready to put your home up for sale in the Tallahassee.
The reason is simple: we’re going to have a major turnover of top political figures in Florida’s statewide election for Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Chief Financial Officer. There will also be some new state legislators and staff hired to support their work. So, there will be a corresponding massive turnover of hundreds of key senior level employees in state government offices throughout the capital city.
It’s likely that many people will be recruited for important jobs from outside of Tallahassee — and when they’re set to move here to start work at the end of this year or early in 2019, they’ll need a place to live. For many, that could mean the purchase or long-term rental of a home.
This election-year real estate reality creates a special boost period to our local residential sales market — and a meaningful opportunity for homeowners who want to sell or rent their home to win in this election. But to earn that ‘victory,’ it’s smart to immediately undertake the kind of ‘campaign’ necessary to win.
Speak to a Realtor before you start preparing to sell your home. A Realtor can offer you helpful advice on preparing your home for sale as well as help determine the best sale price value of your home.
Consider having a pre-listing inspection to determine if repairs are necessary — and make the repairs, as appropriate. Curb appeal is so important for your home to go on the market and stand out. You want buyers to feel invited to come in — so they can imagine it as their home. Ask a friend to stand with you on the street outside your home, as if you are the buyers, and to share candid impressions from that angle and others about how your home looks.
Fresh mulch, edging, weeding, pruning and fresh flowers can work miracles for both front and backyards. Don’t forget to check your front door stain or paint as well as your exterior lights.
The interior of your home requires a very critical eye. Your home needs to be very clean. What’s the appearance of your light fixtures, blinds, baseboards, the space around light switch plates, cabinet fronts, etc.? Consider having a professional cleaning company come in to buff from top to bottom — because what it costs is well worth what it may save.
Less is more. Declutter and depersonalize — until it hurts. Don’t forget closets, cabinets and walls. Consider removing wallpaper and neutralize strong wall paint colors. Neutralizing doesn’t mean white walls. Fresh interior paint is a great way to give your home a fresh look.
Consult your Realtor or ask for a recommendation for a staging professional to help with furniture and accessory placement. If you are changing interior colors, a staging professional can be a great asset.
Depending on the needs, it can take several weeks to get your home ready. Don’t wait until the last minute to meet with your agent — and to begin your ‘campaign’ to win. You and your Realtor should work as ‘running mates’ to win the victory that matters most in this election: the sale of your home, at the best and right price.
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Deborah Thompson is a Certified Residential Specialist at Coldwell Banker Hartung & Noblin. She may be reached at [email protected].
