How to Improve the Impression of Your Home
How to Improve the Impression of Your Home.
Look at your home through the eyes of the buyer.
Here are some simple ways to greatly enhance the look of your home to a buyer:
- Open the draperies, pull up the shades and let in the sunlight.
- Create a positive mood. Put in higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly. Turn on all lights – day or night.
- Create the illusion of spaciousness. Remove unnecessary furniture, knick-knacks, hobby items, children’s items, etc., but be mindful of not creating an “empty” or “sterile” environment.
- If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.
- Keep your home dusted and vacuumed.
- Have an emergency “game plan” to get the home in order quickly if necessary.
- Air out your home one half hour before the showing if possible. Lightly spray the room with air freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.
- Make sure that beds are made and the linens and curtains are clean.
- Wipe down the bathrooms and the kitchen. Spotless bathrooms and kitchens show best to buyers.
- Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.
- Remove all grease from range hoods, ovens, stovetops, walls, etc.
- Expand your counter space by putting away small appliances.
- Straighten up your closets.
- Clean rubbish out of the fireplace and keep it clean in the winter.
- Put out fresh towels and decorative soap for showings.
- Fix or replace the doorbell if it is broken!
- Invest in a new doormat.
- Make sure the front door, storm door, screen door, etc. work smoothly!
- Repair or replace broken tiles on walls, floors or in showers/tubs.
- Repair or replace loose or dangling wallpaper.
- Get rid of dying plants or keep them out of sight.
- Remove any excess extension cords and exposed wires.
- Open doors to areas you want the potential buyer to see such as walk-in-closets, pantries, attic, basement, etc.
- Close all other closet doors and cabinets.
- Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, trash, etc. from the yard.
- Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept and in good condition.
- Keep trashcans free of odors, covered and out of sight.
- Mailboxes should be evaluated with a critical eye. Paint and repair the mailbox or replace it if necessary.
- Never volunteer information!
- Only consider written offers by leader-prequalified buyers.
- Don’t be afraid to accept the first offer.
And, if you really want to make a “wow” and favorable impression on a buyer:
- Create a master “suite” effect in your decorating.
- Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage.
- Recaulk if the caulking is not sparkling white!
- Highlight the potential of your dining room by setting a grand dining table!
- Highlight an eat-in-area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner.
- Shampoo all carpets. Vacuum them daily. If the carpet does not clean up well you should REPLACE IT!
- Remove all unnecessary items from the attic, basement, garage, tool shed, and especially from the storage area if you have one.
- Rent a storage area for these items or have a yard sale.
- Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorating accents, mirrors, rugs, etc.
- Clean everything in your home from top to bottom! — from attic to basement!
- Wash all windows – inside and out!
- Clean all light bulbs, light fixtures and chandeliers to brighten the home.
- Remove posters and adhesive from walls and doors and putty any holes resulting from nails or other mishaps.
- Depersonalize teenager’s rooms and decorate in a neutral temperament.
- Clean or paint the basement walls and floor.
- Paint all inside walls with off-white paint. Use two or more coats to cover bold, bright or dark walls.
- Repair or replace all doors, closet doors, and/or windows and screens so that they open with ease.
- Repair or replace banisters and handrails.
- If the basement shows any signs of water or structural damage, it may be necessary to obtain a structural engineer’s report.
- Replace toilet bowls if you cannot get them spotlessly clean.
- Replace the washers in faucets and remove rust stains from basins.
- Water and prune all plants.
- Use plants in transitional areas of your home between inside and out.
- Keep the yard mowed and raked!
- Trim and prune trees and shrubs.
- Weed garden areas.
- Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkways, and patio.
- Put hoses and garden equipment neatly out of sight.
- Outdoor furniture should be kept clean and/or repainted if necessary.
- Stack any firewood neatly or out of sight.
- Make all those minor repairs to the exterior.
- Paint all entrance doors.
- Shades and awnings should be in good condition. Replace if the color has faded. Remove windsocks.
- Create an outside living/dining area with furniture and plants.
- Highlight your pool area, water garden, etc. with lighting, benches, planters, flowering plants, etc.
- Take nighttime photos of decorative yard lighting systems.
- Take pictures of your flowering mature landscaping now if you are planning to sell your home later in the season. Display these photos in your home in the wintertime.
- Clean, repair and paint all gutters and downspouts.
- All roof shingles, tiles, etc. should be secured or replaced. If the roof leaks – FIX IT!
- Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint the garage door if necessary.
- Paint chimney and replace broken bricks or stones.
- Obtain a floor plan of your home if possible.
- Assemble house records for buyer perusal.
- Provide a map of the area and highlight special interest items.
- Arrive at an equitable asking price using an appraisal.
- Enlist the service of a professional marketing agent such as Karen Ingalls to market your home. Together we can develop a marketing plan to “wow” buyers and quickly sell your home.