Good advice below. Just a few other thoughts: The improvements owners make when they plan on living there can be different than the improvements you make when selling. Specifically, while new AC and furnace may have been necessary and even desirable, buyers expect working AC and heat, so investments in those often don't hugely help sell properties.

On the other hand, buyers look at kitchens and bathrooms. You mention a kitchen improvement. Good. But is it enough? And how about the baths? A lot of Springfield houses were built in the 1950s, and have the avocado or pink fixtures. You may have been happy with those, but new buyers probably won't be. And make sure the curb appeal is good. You may want to spend some money on landscaping. And/or on trim, a new door, new shutters, etc. Sell the sizzle.

And have your plans in place by early summer on what you want done. The instant your renters move out, you want the workers in, doing whatever needs to be done. If things have to be customized (for instance, a new counter top in the kitchen), you want all that ordered in advance. Within a week of the renters moving out, your house should be ready to put on the market.

Also, you may want to consider home staging. After the renters move out, the house will be vacant. Houses show better when staged. It doesn't have to be a "full" staging. It's possible, with just a few pieces in some rooms, to show buyers what the house can be like, and to give the right "feel" to the house.

Hope all that helps.

Thu May 1 2008, 15:01

Hi Lisa,

Wow...I love the way you are thinking ahead. Planning is everything in this market. You've gotten excellent advice so far. The next step is to schedule some time with an experienced Realtor at the rental. Make an appointment with your tenant, or schedule the time when they will not be home. Allow the Realtor to do an assessment of all the improvements and compare against the comparables that have sold recently. Get a realistic idea of what it will sell for. Then revisit with your accountant and set your plans into motion.

Springfield is still holding it's own. However the foreclosures are increasing and that is something everyone has to be aware of. Let's talk..

Thu May 1 2008, 13:14

Hey Lisa,

You are on track with enhancing the home for market. Don't forget to spiff up the exterior Pricing is the critical componet in today's market. Your home will need to outshine the competition.

Tue Apr 29 2008, 21:37

The market in Springfield goes block by block. It is a requirement these days to upgrade and place your home in the best possible light for sale. But, some of the areas in Springfield are undergoing transformation, and there are teardowns. So, you need professional advice. Please drop me a line if you need our help.

Tue Apr 15 2008, 07:39

keep the house
not a good time to sell a house

anyways

good luck

Mon Mar 31 2008, 16:28

Sounds like you need to sell and have made alot of upgrades throughout the house. Not sure what you need advice about. Your house needs to be priced right and look better than its competition in order to sell quickly. If the house will be vacant, you may want to consider staging with rental furniture and accessories to improve the appearance for potential buyers.

Sun Mar 30 2008, 15:56