The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper


Vol. 16 No. 48 - September 28, 2016

REAL ESTATE

Make your home ready for the competition

 

Last week you learned a few competitive tricks to pretty up your home, make it feel more spacious and set it apart from the competition. This week we need to get down to the nitty gritty and pick apart the things that a potential buyer is looking at on the second visit and more importantly what their home inspector is looking for when that day happens.

So what are all buyers looking for is, "It's the kitchen stupid." Everyone wants a clean, fresh kitchen with appliances in not only working order, but equally clean and fresh. If you don't have the funds or the time to completely renovate the kitchen, there are a few things you can do for a lot less money. If your appliances are older and certainly if they're not in working order, make the investment in new ones. If your choice is between high end white appliances or low end stainless go for the low end stainless. The look is much better, and at least it will all be new and working. Be realistic about the condition of the kitchen cabinets. If simply cleaning isn't going to be enough consider resurfacing or new doors or some nice high gloss paint.

Next on the hit list are bathrooms, and this is where bleach is going to be your best friend. A mixture of half water and half bleach in a spray bottle will get rid of most normal bathroom mold issues. You also have the option of new grout which is always a good idea. There are companies that can repaint tiles and/or do total inserts over tubs and walls creating a brand new look for a relatively small investment. Grimy glass shower doors can be cleaned with one-part muriatic acid and 10 parts water. Scrub with steel wool, and you're good to go.

Interior walls, especially in bathrooms and kitchens that may not have had a coat of paint in years, should be at the top of your paint list. Then maybe the kids' rooms after you have convinced them to take down the posters and sparkle. If you are thinking that maybe the family room and living room need some paint, then it probably does. Paint is cheap and will be the best money you ever spent. Painting also gives you the opportunity to repair any damage or picture holes in the walls, which you may not have noticed, but your buyers certainly will.

Give your air conditioning a tune up and check your home for signs of termites, roots growing around foundations and patios and plumbing and drainage issues. Remember once you get past the buyer, you have to face their home inspector.

Outside check all of the trim and soffits for rotted wood and peeling paint, trim back bushes and keep the lawn mowed. Power wash patios and decks verifying the decking material doesn't have any soft spots, and get up on the roof to look around before the home inspector does.

Finally, clean the windows, and let the view pour through and the sun shine in. You should also consider painting your front door a jazzy coordinating color – always a nice touch.

Getting potential buyers to look at your home the first time is easy, but getting them to come back a second time is when the stress level is really elevated. If you start now, there is still plenty of time before the serious selling season kicks in. Do what you have to do to make buyers feel they're standing in a well-loved and well maintained home. Let the games begin!

Real Estate Transactions
Real estate transfers of June 2016

Sponsored by Alan Galletto Island Real Estate

Sold Date | List Price | Sold Price | Address | Provision | Property Style

Anna Maria

16-07-11 625,000 525,000 122 Oak Ave 1176 3 Br/2 Ba SFR
16-07-08 745,000 689,000 405 Spring Ave 1696 4 Br/3 Ba SFR
16-07-01 899,000 850,000 302 Tarpon St 1878 3 Br/2 Ba SFR
16-07-05 1,099,000 919,000 525 Kumquat Dr 2288 3 Br/2 Ba SFR
16-07-22 1,200,000 1,100,000 116 Peppertree Ln 1996 3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR
16-07-14 1,250,000 1,153,500 229 Chilson Ave 1597 3 Br/3 Ba SFR
16-07-21 1,250,000 1,170,000 238 Lakeview Dr 2281 3 Br/2 Ba SFR
16-07-25 1,745,000 1,600,000 909 N Shore Dr 1868 3 Br/3 Ba SFR
16-07-25 3,500,000 3,300,000 825 N Shore Dr 3486 3 Br/4.5 Ba SFR
16-07-21 620,000 580,000 218 Palmetto Ave 1648 52x100 Duplex
16-07-15 399,000 350,000 710 N Shore Dr 60x85 Vac.
16-07-07 495,000 470,000 401 S Bay Blvd 76x105 Vac

Bradenton Beach

16-07-01 1,495,000 1,495,000 106 4th St S 3000 6 Br/5 Ba SFR
16-07-01 379,900 349,000 1301 Bay Dr N #5a 1079 2 Br/2 Ba Condo
16-07-28 610,000 585,000 1417 Gulf Dr N #1417 1524 3 Br/2.5 Ba Condo

Cortez

16-07-26 1,800,000 1,720,000 12614 Baypointe Ter 4677 3 Br/3.5 Ba SFR
16-07-12 123,500 107,500 12334 Baypointe Ter 110 x 151 Apx Vac.

Holmes Beach

16-07-11 489,000 475,000 406 Bay Palms Dr 1332 2 Br/2 Ba SFR
16-07-06 549,000 490,000 308 56th St 1080 2 Br/1 Ba SFR
16-07-12 579,000 575,000 208 Haverkos Ct 2181 65x98 3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR
16-07-18 619,000 620,000 5802 Imperiore Ave 1020 2 Br/2 Ba SFR
16-07-20 650,000 650,000 304 60th St #B 1150 3 Br/2 Ba SFR
16-07-15 849,000 790,000 206 67th St 2139 4 Br/3 Ba SFR
16-07-27 999,000 975,000 307 74th St 1676 3 Br/3.5 Ba SFR
16-07-11 1,299,000 1,185,000 671 Key Royale Dr 2885 221x78 3 Br/2.5 Ba SFR
16-07-19 2,190000 1,800,000 512 59th St 4544 6 Br/4.5 Ba SFR
16-07-11 2,399000 2,100,000 625 Key Royale Dr 3118 4 Br/3.5 Ba SFR
16-07-05 375,000 350,000 3215 Gulf Dr #3215 672 1 Br/1.5 Ba Condo
16-07-01 360,000 360,000 600 Manatee Ave #205 1187 2 Br/2 Ba Condo
16-07-01 389,000 375,000 3402 Gulf Dr #3 359 2 Br/2 Ba Condo
16-07-18 415,000 392,000 5806 Gulf Dr #204 1078 2 Br/2 Ba Condo
16-07-15 499,900 485,000 6006 Gulf Dr #111 1154 2 Br/2 Ba Condo
16-07-11 395,000 367,500 3009 Avenue E 751 2 Br/1 Ba Villa
16-07-26 469,000 425,000 5613 Guava St #A&B 1580 57x105 Duplex

Source: Mid Florida Multiple Listing Service


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