Curb Appeal - First Impressions are Lasting
Impressions
The exterior of your home often determines how
buyers will view the interior, so:
- Make sure the front entrance is clean and inviting
- Clean any cobwebs & dirt residue from doorway area and porch
lights
- Clean any oil off driveway
- Paint or replace your front door if it’s faded or worn
- Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside feature
showing signs of wear
- Mow, edge and clean yard; trim trees
- If you have exterior lighting, make sure it's in good shape
Beauty is More than Skin Deep
Buyers often see the surface condition of your home
as a sign of what’s underneath, so:
- Keep windows and floors clean
- Replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away
from the wall
- Repair worn woodwork, sticking doors & windows, warped
cabinet doors or drawers
- Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color
- Repair minor flaws like broken light switches and
- Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers
- Steam clean carpeting or replace it if necessary
Accentuate the Positive
Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and
arrange each room to bring our its best attributes, including:
- Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during the
showing
- Remove all unnecessary clutter to better display spacious rooms
- Remove extraneous items from your attic and storage (consider
off-site storage or a garage sale)
- Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture
- Keep fresh, clean towels in the bathroom
- Use candles or air freshener to give rooms a pleasant scent (do
not over do it)
Put Your Home in the Best Light
Strategically lighting your home, even during
daytime showings, can create a cozy mood and highlight positive
attributes of each rooms, so:
- Turn on as many lights as possible to bring the rooms to “life”
- Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger,
and large rooms more intimate
- Use lighting to Define the space and highlight the "living
areas" of your home, such as a pair of chairs near a
fireplace, or a table in a breakfast area
- Put the spotlight on the strengths and potential of your home
- Create the right mood and atmosphere given the room’s
function, color scheme, etc.
- Accent the positive aspects and unique features of each area of
your home
Leave the Selling to the Professional
Buyers often feel uncomfortable in the presence of a
homeowner, so:
- Try not to be present during showings
- If you are home, never apologize for the appearance of your
house
- Do not volunteer information. You may unknowingly give
them information they can use in negotiations.
- Do not discuss price, terms, or other
factors with the buyers.
Remember the three “D’s”
De-Personalize, De-Clutter & De-Magnetize (your
refrigerator)
- Remove almost all pictures of your family & friends from you
walls, tables, etc.
- Remove all personal items from shelves, coffee tables, walls
- Remove those magnets from your refrigerator
- Think "model home"
Keep the Disturbances Down
Potential homebuyers have a lot to take in, so
minimize the distractions:
- Pipe in classical, jazz or soft rock music, but keep the volume
low
- Turn your answering machine on, but remember to turn the volume
down
- Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way,
preferably out of the house
Create a Homey Atmosphere
Buyers try to picture themselves and their family
living in your home, so:
- Create a pleasant aroma by baking cookies or bread, or lighting
a scented candle prior to the showing; but don’t over-do it with
“perfumey” air fresheners
- Keep the heat or air conditioner at comfortable levels
Have Records Available
- Even if a buyer doesn’t study them, having records available
can make it clear you are conscientious and have nothing to hide
- Have copies of your gas, electric and water bill from the last
12 months available
- Be ready to show all home improvement and repair bills
|
Presentation of Your Home ...
