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Tips - Prepare Your Home to
Sell
Exterior
Your house makes its first impression before buyers ever step
inside. First impressions can be lasting ones so its a good idea
to prepare your home to sell before placing it on the market.
In a real sense, the condition of your home's exterior makes an
important statement about the condition of the entire house so,
the view from the curb is crucial. If the outside of the house
is in disarray, convincing buyers to step inside may become an
uphill battle for your Realtor.
- Lawn - Make sure the yards (front and back) are neatly trimmed,
raked and edged.
- Trees & Shrubs - These should be pruned to complement your
house, not hide it.
- Flowers - Consider adding a few seasonal flowers to "brighten"
the exterior. Any existing flowers should be healthy.
- Walkway & Drives - Clear them of weeds and debris, and wash
them to remove dirt and stains. Also, look for potholes and cracks
that need to be patched.
- Painted Surfaces - Repainting the entire house may not be necessary.
Unless extensive cracking or peeling is apparent, painting the
trim or touching-up trouble areas may be all it takes to give
the house a fresh look. In fact, some exterior surfaces can simply
be washed clean with a pressure washer.
- Doorways - Check to see that all light fixtures, hinges, doorknobs,
locks and doorbells are in good working order. Doors themselves
should be cleaned and, if needed, freshly painted or stained.
Be sure to sweep porches.
- Windows - Replace any broken panes, and wash all windows - inside
and out. Screens should also be free of serious runs or tears.
Also inspect locks to ensure that they function properly.
- Roof & Gutters - Look for shingles that need to be secured
or replaced. Make sure gutters are firmly in place and clear of
any debris. Gutters may need to be touched up with fresh paint.
- Fences - Repair areas that are in bad shape. Where necessary,
apply a new coat of paint or stain.
Intererior
Try placing yourself in the potential buyer's shoes, and look objectively
at the interior of your home. Now is definitely the time to pay
attention to details. That may be tougher than you think; so, it's
probably a good idea to get a second opinion from someone outside
your household. Your Realtor is the obvious choice.
Atmosphere - You'll want to consider the overall atmosphere
of your home. Color, lighting and the sensation of smell work together
to create a pleasing enviroment. Keep the following in mind as you
prepare your home.
- Smell - One aspect of the enviroment is often taken for granted,
and that's too bad. You may be accustomed to your home's distinctive
scent, but smells from cooking, cigarettes, pets, flowers, etc.,
have different effects on different people. For instance, you
may love the smell of spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove,
but to some the aroma may not evoke such pleasant sensations.
Because you cant anticipate individual likes and dislikes, it's
generally best to go with an overall clean smell. Most cleaning
aids will produce a desirable scent. Remember: A clean-smelling
house creates a positive image in the buyer's mind. Be aware of
any odors such as mildew or gas that may signal a problem.
- Lighting - is one of your home's strongest assets. To take full
advantage of natural light, clean windows and pull back drapes
to allow in as much sunlight as possible. Artificial light is
as important as natural light; so, fixtures should be clean and
bulbs replaced where needed. Buyers expect good general lighting,
but dramatic accents can be an exciting extra. Use directional
lights to create focal points, hightlight special features or
set a mood. Interesting lighting can help distinguish your home
in the buyers eye.
- Color - can be used in a variety of ways: to evoke positive
emotions, alter perceived sizes and minimize cosmetic flaws. The
key is to be cautions in selecting colors, whether you are painting
an entire room or just adding accent items such as pillows, rugs,
towls, etc. If it's absolutely necessary to replace carpeting
or do some repainting, you may want to choose neutral colors,
such as shades of white or beige, for the primary surfaces - walls,
floors and ceilings. Accent colors can then be used to brighten
rooms and add a personal touch. Remember that your main goal is
to please the majority of prospects...and fuchsia walls probably
aren't the answer.
Entry:
- Walls - Try adding a mirror or two to open up narrow spaces.
Existing mirrors should be spotless. Check for peeling paint.
Clean wallpaper, and glue down any loose edges. Make sure the
baseboards are in good shape.
- Closet - Reserve the space for guests' coats and umbrellas.
Consider using a nice set of hangers - something other than the
typical white.
- Floor - Whether marble, parquet, carpet or hardwood you'll want
it to look its best. Secure area rugs to prevent tripping.
- A Little Extra - An attractive candy dish filled with wrapped
sweets is a nice gesture.
Living Room:
- Furniture - Arrange furniture to make the room as open and airy
as possible. Avoid cluttering the living area wiht too many knick-knacks.
- Fireplace - Sweep and clean fireplace, hearth, and tools. If
weather permits and your fireplace is in good working order, a
crackling fire can be a great selling tool. A few logs neatly
piled on the hearth may create the same cozy feeling with much
less bother.
- Plants - Make sure that all plants are healthy; few things look
worse than displaying half-dead plants. Larger standing plants
may be used as accents in bare areas.
- Floor - Shampoo wall-to-wall carpet and area rugs. Wax and buff
wood floors.
- Walls - Check for peeling paint. Clean wallpaper, and glue down
any loose edges. Don't forget abou tthe baseboards.
- A Little Extra - Use lemon oils on wood paneling and furniture
to make them shine and smell great.
Kitchen:
- Appliances - Clean and polish them. Bright, shiny appliances
make a positive statement.
- Sink - Remove stains, and store dishes out of sight. Fix leaky
faucets, and make sure drains work properly. Deoderize the disposal
with 1/4 cup of bleach.
- Countertops - Apply a little elbow grease to stubborn stains.
Avoid clutter; too many small appliances on counters can minimize
the apparent workspace.
- Storage - (Pantry, Cabinets, Drawers, etc.) organize and clean
to reveal maximum usable space. Remove or replace worn shelf paper.
Tighten any loose knobs, and adjust hinges if needed.
- Walls - Check for peeling paint. Clean wallpaper, and glue down
any loose edges. Make sure baseboards are in good shape.
- Floors / Ceiling -- Clean floors until they shine. Check ceiling
for splattered grease and food.
Dining Room:
- Lighting - Clean fixtures until they sparkle. Because this room
is often used for evening functions, a dimmer for the lights is
an excellent investment.
- Furniture - Be sure its dust-free and arranged comfortably.
- Floor - Shampoo wall-to-wall carpet and area rugs. Wax and buff
wood floors.
- Walls - Check for peeling paint. Clean wallpaper, and glue down
loose edges. Make sure baseboards are in good shape.
- A Little Extra - Create a warm and inviting room by setting
out an attractive tablecloth and fresh flowers.
Bedrooms:
- Furniture - Give the room a spacious feeling by dusting and
uncluttering the furniture. Don't forget to make the beds with
clean linens.
- Closets - Closet space is a hot commodity; so, it should be
well-organized to maximize the area. Leave as few items as possible
on the floors and shelves.
- Floor - Shampoo wall-to-wall carpet and area rugs. Wax and buff
wood floors. Consider investing in area rugs for bare wood floors;
they add warmth to the room.
- Walls - Check for peeling paint. Clean wallpaper, and glue down
loose edges. Make sure baseboards are in good shape.
- A Little Extra - Use lightly scented potpourri and/or fresh-cut
flowers to evoke feelings of sunny spring days, even in the dead
of winter.
Bathrooms:
- Bathtubs/Showers - Make sure all surfaces - porcelain, glass,
chrome, etc. - are spotless, and remove non-decals and bath mats
that are in poor condition. Replace worn or dirty shower curtains.
If needed, clean and repair caulking. Be certain drains and faucets
work properly. Store personal care products out of sight.
- Toilet - Again, cleanliness is the key. To help camoulfage stains,
use a colored toilet bowl cleaner that can be dispensed with each
flush. Check into any leaks or disturbing sounds that may cause
buyers to be wary of the plumbing.
- Vanity - Clear countertops of personal care products. Make sure
drains and faucets work properly.
- Floor - Shampoo wall-to-wall carpet and throw rugs to bring
back their original nap. Immaculate tile is a must.
- Walls - Check for peeling paint. Clean wallpaper, and glue down
any loose edges. Make sure baseboards are in good shape.
- Storage - Organize all cabinets and drawers. Store personal
items that you'd rather not be seen; buyers tend to snoop. Remove
or replace worn shelf paper.
- A Little Extra - This is the time to bring out your best soaps
and towels. Plants are also a nice touch. They add color and freshness
and will usually thrive in the moist setting.
Garage:
- Tools - Organize your space by hanging tools, bicycles and gardening
implements on the walls.
- Cars - A clean car will indicate that you take pride in your
possessions and maintain them well. This will reflect positively
on your home.
- Floor - Wash to remove any stains. Consider painting the floor
if oil and/or gas stains are still visible.
A Final Note - Tired yet? Preparing your home for sale can
be a lot of work, but the rewards can make it all worthwhile. As
you get your house in order, you'll probably think of questions
that are particular to your home or community. Remember that your
Realtor is a good source of additional information. Your agent is
a skilled professional who knows your specific market and can offer
good tips that will help your house sell more quickly and for the
best price.
Now take a break. You deserve it!!
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