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Show it off from the street. A well-kept, neatly landscaped property will help act as bait to lure the potential buyer in to see your home. Refuse containers should be out of view and the lawn neatly trimmed and edged. Fertilizing a few weeks prior to listing will help your lawn look lush and green. Add color by planting flowers in the flowerbeds in the entry area.
First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh, clean, and scrubbed looking. Brass knobs should be polished with brass cleaner. Woodwork should be free of chipped or cracking paint. If necessary, repaint. Consider placing a planter of fresh flowers on your front porch.
Minor repairs can help tremendously. Repair all loose doorknobs and cupboard hinges, dripping faucets, stained sinks, loose or missing caulking, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, and damaged or missing window screens.
Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospective buyer how your home could look, when you can show them by painting or redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result.
Let the sun shine in. Open draperies, curtains and mini-blinds and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be. Dark rooms are not appealing. An open, airy feeling generates comfort and welcomes the potential buyer into your home.
Clutter is unattractive. Neatness makes a room look larger. Workout rooms, sewing rooms, laundry rooms, home offices, basements and attics should be as organized and clutter free as the main living space of your home. |
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Pre-pack collections and excess belongings. We want the buyers to be looking at your home, not your collections. Excess belongings give the impression that your home isnt spacious, and spacious sells.
From top to bottom. Display the full value of your attic and other utility or storage space by removing all unnecessary articles.
Safety first. Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
Make closets look bigger. Neat well-ordered closets appear larger and show that space is ample. Larger closets help sell homes.
Bathrooms should sparkle. Remove stains from sinks, toilets, and bathtubs, including hardwater spots on shower enclosure doors. If drains run slowly, unclog them. Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Hang fresh towels on towel racks. Clear excess personal items and make this room sparkle.
Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Keep the beds made. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.
Kitchens should be clean. It is the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive. The emptier it is, the larger it will appear. Avoid dirty dishes in the sink or on the counters. Counter top appliances should be kept in cupboards. Clean the ventilating hood over the stove. Replace or repair worn-out flooring. New kitchen wallpaper will pay dividends.
Can you see the light? Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights, especially for an evening inspection. Use brighter bulbs if necessary. |