IS YOUR ACREAGE OR TOWN HOME “MARKET READY”?
by Wayne Chaulk BComm., Realtor
The following items are what I call the “basics of property preparedness”. If you are hoping to sell your acreage or country home this spring or summer, use this as your checklist! Some items are specific to acreages and others apply to all properties.
- Get your well tested (2-hour recovery test), for flow rate (GPM) as well as water quality test, both full chemical and bacterial analysis. This will highlight any necessary treatment required ahead of a buyer doing their own due diligence which puts you one step ahead! If you also have a water cistern, confirm the tank size and whether the well pumps into the cistern and then to the house as needed from the cistern, often referred to as a ‘trickle’ system. Water is always a dominant concern of acreage buyers so ensure you have information available to put buyers at ease on this matter.
- Get a current Real Property Report (RPR) with compliance. It will highlight location of structures, any easements, right-of-ways, property boundaries etc. which is hugely helpful for potential buyers to have for review. If you have added anything since you purchased such as decking, outbuildings etc. you will need any existing, current RPR updated to reflect these changes and additions. You will then need to get a new Letter of Compliance from the MD. It will be required anyway by the lawyer’s office once an offer has been accepted and the count-down is on to closing.
- Service the septic system if it has not been done in the last year. Confirm if it is a gravity, tank and field or mound system. Buyers will ask about it – guaranteed! Keep your receipts of any inspections or services to verify any work.
- Service furnace and in-floor heating systems, declutter, clean and tidy the utility room. Also, put ID tags or notes on any equipment to indicate what they are actually used for such as iron filter, softener etc. You can’t expect buyers or agents to know for sure what the various tanks & systems are in your utility room.
- Repair any obvious plumbing and electrical issues as needed. For example, loose fixtures, leaks, faulty receptacles etc. should be attended to.
- Get roof checked for hail or wind damage and repair. Have the age of roof and its rating available to pass on. If any claims pending, ensure there is documentation to show repairs will be covered and information on transferability of warranty work.
- Consider new flooring if existing materials are worn and tired looking and new windows if any particularly bad ones need repair/replacement. These items and painting interior rooms with modern colours will give you the good return for your investment.
- If you are considering major renovations, be aware that kitchen and bathrooms will give you a good return, but undertaking these major steps may not be necessary for a sale. If you do not plan to reno other parts of the home as well, the overall look will seem partial & unfinished.
- Maintain driveways and keep vegetation trimmed and under control around the home.
- Dress up the front entry with a new door or repaint, flowerpots, etc.
- Keep fencing repaired and painted.
- De-clutter and remove any debris from your property as well as any old equipment no longer used.
- Make sure the outside of your home is in good repair and paint where needed. Street appeal is just as important in the country as in the city! People do form impressions from drive-by’s that a homeowner is unaware of, particularly in our era of Google mapping and Realtor.ca info etc. Very often buyers are out scouting, driving by places listed before they contact an agent.
- If you have outbuildings such as Quonsets, workshops, etc. remember to keep these looking nice outside as well. Paint, repair and keep de-cluttered outside and inside.
- Summarize all utility costs averaging them for a year for gas, electrical, heating, internet etc. Buyers often request this information to ascertain efficiency and cost of living.
- Develop a list of all the key features, updates and work you have done on your property and make available during showings.
- Also keep and assemble any costs for septic, well, plumbing, electrical and roof repairs in a binder. This may be important for buyers to review if considering offering on your property and also reflects the care you have taken over the years.
