Showing your home - tips for sellers

Selling a home while living in it is not easy – you want it to look its best when potential buyers come around. Still, with a plan in place, you can minimize the panic. Here is a checklist to help.

1. Tone it down! Turn off all electronics to cut down on noise.
2. Make it bright! Turn on all the lighting to illuminate every room. For daytime showings, open all window coverings.
3. Clear the clutter! Stash magazines, newspapers and mail in a basket or box you can easily slip under a bed or tuck quickly in a dresser drawer.
4. Stifle the odors! Be sure to remove the source of the odor, then open the window or door to let in some fresh air. If needed, place a small bowl of white vinegar or fresh coffee grounds in the area of unpleasant smells to absorb odors.
5. Round up the pets! Keep them safe, get them out of the way and make the buyers comfortable. Secure pets in their crates, outdoors or with you or a neighbor.
6. Check floors! Use a hand vacuum or damp cloth to remove debris or spots. Do a complete sweep-up if you have a time.
7. Make it comfortable! Turn down the air conditioner a degree or two to make it cool and inviting inside. Circulate air with fans on low if no AC
8. Kitchen: Clean and put away dishes ( or hide them). Wipe counters and fixtures.
9. Bathrooms: Wipe counters, fixtures and mirror. Make sure toilets are clean and lids closed. Hang fresh towels neatly. Move toiletries under cabinet or into a closet.
10. Bedrooms: Make bed, put the clothes away in drawers, hide them in the hamper, washer or dryer… 11. Children’s room: Gather toys, games and books, and put them back on bookshelves or in bins.
12. Living room or family room: Remove the clutter; put away books; stash knickknacks and family photos out of sight.
13. Entry way: Hang all coats , hats, umbrellas, keys and bags in a closet- not on the wall hooks. Hide the shoes. Clear away papers and mail.

What Sellers Need To Focus On

 If you are thinking of selling your home, it’s good to know what today’s buyers are looking for in a home they want to buy. Remember, these are national trends.

  HOT

1. Stainless 
2. Granite 
3. Hardwood floors 
4. Chrome, brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze fixtures 
5. Earth tones contrasted with bright colors 
6. Eco-friendly 
7. Open spaces

Do you deed transfer to kids?

Question: I would like to add my daughter's name to the deeds of properties that I own. What is the process and the cost involved in doing this and how should it be worded so that she owns the property free and clear once I am deceased? --D.K. Answer: I Bottom line: In most cases, you are doing a disservice to your children if you put them on title with you. Let me explain. Let's say you bought your home years ago for $100,000 and it is now worth $300,000. If you die today, your daughter will inherit the house and take advantage of the "stepped-up" basis. That means that her tax basis is the value on the date of death, in our example $300,000. Ignoring for this discussion inheritance and estate tax issues, if she sells the property immediately for $300,000, she will have made no gain and thus will not have to pay any capital gains tax. On the other hand, if you gift her half of the house, her basis is yours. Now you die and the property is worth $300,000. Her basis is $50,000 from the gift and $150,000 stepped up from your death for a total of $200,000. If she sells now, she has made a gain of $100,000 and will have to pay capital gains tax. To understand this in simple -- nonlegal -- language, the tax basis of the person who gifts property (giftor) becomes the tax basis of the giftee. If you really want your daughter on title, why not sell her half of the property. Then her basis will be what she paid for it. Talk with your financial advisers for your specific situation.