Welcome to Tim’s home tour of your house. If you have decided to sell it, then you want it to appeal to everyone who drops in, even if it is beyond their price range. Visitors have friends who might also be in the market, and you want them to remember your home. Here is a quick tour guide for what you need to do so your home is ready to show.
Curb Appeal The first thing a potential buyer will see is the front of your property. They might also look through the gates, because the yard means a lot. If you have a lawn, cut it and trim the edges. Flower beds ? Clear out the weeds, prune the bushes, and scrape the soil. Put some fertilizer down, water it in, and then put down mulch or colored bark. If there is dirt on the house, or trim, wash it off. Pressure washers do a much better job then a jet nozzle on your hose. If the paint is peeling, sand and touch up. If the first impression is bad, the potential buyer may never look inside.
Prepare a bright outlook Dirty windows give the impression of a dirty house. Make sure the windows are all washed, and the views are stunning. This means you need to cut back any tree limbs or bushes blocking the windows. Your backyard should have great appeal. Use the same principles as the front yard.
Clean your countertops It is so easy to wash down your sinks and counter tops. If the grout is badly stained, try a special clear to make it shine. Even if the counters are outdated, clean they look much better. Also, put away the clutter. Don’t leave out the dirty or drying dishes. Wash them and get them back where they belong. Put food away in the pantry.
Clean your cabinets If you have a buildup of grundge, people may wrongly assume your cabinets need to be replaced. For natural wood cabinets, clean them with products designed for the task, and then use an orange or lemon oil to make them shine. For white cabinets, clean them with a very mild soapy solution. Your cabinets make a very important impression.
Make the Beds Your bedrooms will look great with the beds made. If people see covers on the floor, they wonder what other maintenance has been left undone.
Less is more Its your home, and you have all your memories and collectibles on display. However visitors see all your stuff and visually it shrinks the room size. Look at some magazines on home makeovers, or visit some model homes, and see just how simple they keep the presentation. Go home and do the same.
Use gentle air freshners Having a pleasant, natural, smell in your house is great. However, if the deodorizer is too powerful, people will wonder what bad smells you are trying to cover up.
Don’t hide the defects You want to fix the errors. An inspector will find any problems and the buyer will want the repairs made before they take possession. If you have a defect, get in a qualified person to repair it. If you are waiting for repairs, put a little sign on the area saying “Our booboo will be fixed next Tuesday by a professional”. People will appreciate full disclosure. So will you when there are no surprises after the sale.
Do something to get them to stay a few extra minutes Put out some cookies and lemonade, or have a special event on the TV. Anything you do that attracts a buyer’s attention will make them more likely to take a second look.
Light up the dark spaces You can’t like what you can’t see. Make sure your curtains are pulled back to allow ample natural lighting. If that is not available, turn on the lights. People often keep laundry rooms dark, but they are very important to buyers. Don’t make them seek the switch … leave it on.
If you would like a personal analysis of your home, and how it can best be displayed for appeal, give Tim a call. Its toll free, and there is no obligation … but of course he would love to be your agent when you are ready to sell your home. Call toll free 800 504-6787
