A home that stands out from similar houses on the market is the home that sells. A good first impression lasts – and gets offers fast!
You may not be able to improve the market value of your house by finishing the basement or remodeling the kitchen. But you can improve its marketability. How? “Clean up, fix up and toss out.” Look at your house from a potential buyer’s perspective. In fact, if you visit some open houses, you’ll probably pick up some pointers. Make your home as appealing and uncluttered as the home you wish to buy.
When your home is to be shown, we will always attempt to make an appointment with you, giving you as much advance notice as possible. To help the best impression, we suggest you:
- Turn on all your lights, including the outside entrance, even during the daytime.
- Turn off the TV.
- Ask a friend to keep pets, especially during your Open House.
- Put out your best towels, tablecloths and other accessories.
- Make sure there’s a property profile folder visible, with the data sheet on utilities, features and other details about the house.
- If you’re home when the prospects arrive, greet them politely and then excuse yourself. Having too many people around during the showing may make the potential buyers feel like an intruder, making it difficult for the selling agent and buyers to be at ease. Leave the selling to us.
17 Suggestions for Selling Your Home
1. First impressions are lasting.
View your house through the critical eyes of a homebuyer. Make sure your home has “curb appeal.” The front door greets prospects. Make sure it is clean and freshly painter. Depending on the season, keep your lawn trimmed and edged, and remove snow and ice from the walks and steps. Keep garage doors closed and trash containers out of sight.
2. Paint and touch up for a quick sale.
Faded walls and scratched woodwork reduce buyer appeal. Your house will show the best with a fresh coat of paint. The key to a quality paint job is adequate preparation; it’s important to patch holes, scrape peeling paint, sand the surface and, if necessary, put on a primer coat. Remember, it is difficult to anticipate the tastes of strangers. Use neutral colors and show buyers a sparkling clean home.
3. Let the sunshine in.
Windows should be clean. Open curtains and draperies and show the buyer how bright and cheerful your home is. For evening inspection, turn on all your lights. Proper illumination of the house is a welcome sign to a potential buyer.
4. Minor repairs can make major differences.
Replace all burned-out light bulbs. A dripping water faucet discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing. Loose knobs, sticking doors and broken cabinet drawers detract from your home’s value; please fix them. Repair cracked windowpanes, torn screens, broken sashes and ropes and cords as well.
5. From top to bottom.
Show buyers the full value of your attic, basement and other utility spaces by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls; cure damp smells with a bag of limestone. Now is a good time to wash the outside of your water heater, change the furnace filter and make sure inspection access is easy.
6. Safety first.
Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
7. Make closets look bigger.
Neat orderly closets show that space is ample. Since you will be moving anyway, remove or pack items that can be stored elsewhere.
8. The kitchen is important.
Many buyers judge housekeeping by the kitchen. Oven, stove and other appliances should be spotless. Repair or replace anything that sticks, squeaks or drips. Counter space should be kept open and uncluttered; store countertop appliances. Floors and walls should be bright and clean.
9. Bathrooms help sell homes.
Rust stains and dripping faucets suggest faulty plumbing. Check and repair caulking and grouting. Tile should be free of soap film, mildew, lime, or rust. The sink, toilet and tub should sparkle. Hang a new shower curtain. Clean mirrors, windows, and window coverings. Tighten hardware and towel racks. Use the highest-wattage light bulbs your fixtures will allow. And adding well-laced mirrors will both brighten and expand a small bathroom.
10. Arrange bedroom neatly.
Furnishings should be uncluttered. Pay special attention to closet spaces. Add organizer units, baskets or tubs to corral your possessions. Use attractive bedspreads and curtains. Dress up the bed with an arrangement of plump pillows.
11. Clean the garage.
The ideal garage holds only cars. Sell, give or throw away unnecessary articles. Clean oily spots on cement floors and use strong overhead lighting. Keep storage areas and workbenches orderly. Remember, from the outside your garage looks best with the door down.
12. Showing the family room/living room.
These areas, as centers of family activity, should be open and inviting. Try fresh flowers, wood in the fireplace and either air conditioning or fresh air to set the atmosphere.
13. Three is a crowd.
Avoid having too many people present during inspections. It’s best to show the home when no one is there. Then the prospective buyer won’t feel like an intruder who wants to hurry through the house.
14. Pets underfoot.
If at all possible, keep pets out of the house.
15. Music is mellow.
Turn on some soft, mellow music. Set the volume low so the salesperson and the buyer can talk without disturbances.
16. Pleasant Smells.
Burn a scented candle or spray room freshener.
17. Floors.
Clean carpets and vacuum often. Check for hardwood floors beneath the carpeting. You may be able to pull up the carpeting and refinish or simply clean and wax the floors to create a classic, new look. Repair cracked or broken tiles. Make use of neutral-color area rugs to diminish the impact of the flooring beneath. Polish wood floors.
