The first step in preparing your home to show at
its best is to look at it through the eyes of a buyer - someone who is seeing
it for the first time. With a few easy steps, here are some suggestions to make
your home look attractive and inviting.
House-hunters typically begin their inspection of a property by previewing its
"curb appeal." A surprising number of homes are eliminated from
consideration before potential buyers get out of their car because they find
the exterior appearance unsightly or uninviting.
Following are some basic suggestions for improving the marketability of your
home.
Exterior:
The
first impression is the most important. Your front yard should be
appealing, the steps should be clear of clutter, and the front door should
be clean and free of scratches. Refinish or paint the door if
necessary.
Lawns,
shrubs and flowers. Examine the lawn and flower gardens,
making sure the lawn is mowed and free of drainage problems.
Colorful flowers and shrubs can enhance the home's attractiveness.
Inspect
Sidewalks and driveway to make sure they're free of weeds and clutter. Get
rid of stains on cement driveways. Replace worn asphalt -- or recoat it.
Clear
the decks! Clean decks, patios and steps, removing unnecessary furniture,
toys and debris. Tidy up any pet areas.
Inspect
the front door. A fresh coat of paint or stain and a clean doormat can
help create an inviting "first impression." For less than $50, you
can replace an old door handle with an impressive new one -- it's the
first thing a prospective buyer will touch in your home.
Check
lighting, making sure pathways and entry have adequate illumination.
Inspect
the home's exterior, looking for loose, missing or damaged siding and brickwork,
a cracked and uneven foundation, and gutters, downspouts or fences that
are in disrepair. Paint or repair
any problem areas. If you're handy, you can do this yourself. Even better:
Paint the whole house.
Interior:
Inside the home, you should conduct an equally
thorough inspection, since potential buyers are likely to open doors and
cupboards, look into, look behind and operate everything to make sure the home
offers the space, layout and features they need. Extensive redecorating isn't
usually recommended, but all rooms should be clean and clutter-free. Think
"light," "bright," "open" and "airy."
A
clean but "lived-in'' look is best. Make sure your home - especially
the bathrooms and kitchen - are clean, and avoid unnecessary clutter, but
don't feel you need to remove all trace of yourself from your home. A warm
feeling will put prospective buyers at ease.
Clutter.
You want your home to look sparse so prospective buyers can visualize
where they would put their furniture. But you don't want it to be empty --
it makes it hard for them to see how the house looks when lived in. Best:
Remove one-third of your furniture, and store it in a self-storage
facility or in your neighbor's garage.
Little
details like house plants and flowers can make a big difference. Bright
rooms add to your home's appeal, so make sure all the windows are
spotless, and keep the rooms well-lighted during the showings.
Minor
repair jobs should be attended to. Try to take care of all you can - leaky
faucets, torn screens, cracked windows, and clogged gutters will all
detract from the appearance of your home.
A
fresh coat of paint can do wonders to improve the appearance of your
rooms. If your walls aren't in the best condition, you should consider
painting.
Carpeting.
People tend to look downward when viewing a home. Replace old carpets --
even inexpensive ones look great when they're new. At the very least, have
all carpets and drapes professionally cleaned.
Interior
walls - Patch walls and ceiling cracks, then repaint or wallpaper, using
neutral shades.
Check
the garage for musty smells and signs of mildew or leaks, correcting any
defects. Remove clutter from the basement and garage. Sweep floors,
degrease spots and dust.
Inspect
bathroom and kitchen fixtures to make sure they sparkle, are leak-free and
are otherwise functioning well. Remove stains from countertops, sinks,
tubs and showers.
When Your Home is Being Shown
Open
draperies and shades to let in light. This will make rooms appear larger.
Play
soft classical music, but keep TVs off.
Take
pets outdoors when your house is being shown, preferably in your car or
off the property all together. Children should be quiet.
Be
courteous but don't force conversation with potential buyers. They want to
inspect your house, not pay a social call.
Don't
mention furniture or furnishings you may want to sell unless asked. Trying
to dispose of such items via the potential buyers before they have
purchased the house often loses the sale.
Let
the realtor show your house and don't tag along. The salesperson knows the
buyers' requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home.
Let
the realtor discuss the price, terms, possession and other factors with
the buyers. He/she is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable
conclusion.
Take
your family away for the day, if your realtor is holding an open house.
Don't do these things!
It's
wise to follow others' good examples and to learn by others' mistakes. So that
your move will be a sane and sound one, click on the link below for a list of
10 mistakes to avoid.
