Preparing Your House For The Market
You know the feeling well. You see a beautiful house and you just know that you'd like to live there. That's what you want prospective buyers to feel when they see your home. The deciding factor in most home sales is the "curb appeal" and attractiveness of the house.
Do the repairs that are necessary in order to make your home look its best. Be careful not to invest in overly expensive or large scale improvements, like room additions or new plumbing systems. Making these major repairs will only return you a fraction of their cost. It would be much better to disclose the problem and adjust the sales price accordingly.
Instead, you should invest your improvement dollars and energy into cleaning and painting. You will definitely realize more cash at closing time than you will have spent for the cleaning and painting supplies!
Be as objective about your property's appearance as a buyer will be. Does that little crack in the wall really need to be fixed? Yes! It may cause doubts about how well built the house is. How your home is decorated is not as much a factor as being clean, neat and in good repair.
The first look a prospect will have at your home is when they pull up in the driveway. Be sure the landscaping and general appearance is attractive and neat. A trimmed lawn, cut shrubbery, trees free of dead limbs, weeded flower beds, a swept and stain-free driveway, clear sidewalks and gutters, etc. will assure a pleasant first impression. Put in plenty of flowering plants. It's the easiest, least expensive way to beautify the exterior of your house. As they approach the front door, little things will mean a lot. A clean, freshly painted front door, polished door knob and knocker, clean surrounding windows, screens and window sills will all be noticed. Once inside, the senses take over. The prospective buyer will notice odors and light. If possible, open curtains and drapes, blinds and windows to brighten and freshen the house. In winter, a fire in the fireplace and bread in the oven lend warmth to your home. Fresh cut flowers add color and appeal. If the interior of your home needs painting, consider white or a light, neutral color making the house appear large, open and bright. Dark rooms do not appeal. Make sure all rooms are clean and neat. Fingerprints, cracked plaster and clutter should be eliminated everywhere. Fresh paint and polished woodwork will always improve the look and value. The kitchen and bathrooms are the rooms that can really sell a house - or turn a buyer off. Make them sparkle. Fresh, plush towels, cut flowers or silk flower arrangements, new shower curtains, etc. will add luxury and glamour to the most ordinary bathrooms. To make the dining room, living room and bedrooms look big and airy, remove some furniture. The rule of thumb is to remove approximately 1/3 of· your furniture. Also, consider putting away nik-naks, collections, toys and other items that may create a cluttered appearance. They just draw attention away trom your home's other features and matce the house appear smaller and messy.
Put away dishes and store countertop appliances. Have carpets cleaned. Remove throw rugs and area carpets if possible. Tour a local model home for other ideas. Do everything possible to make your home look its very best. It doesn't really take much money, just your time and energy. Get rid of the junk and anything else you have stored in the closets and garage. Have a garage sale if necessary or give the stuff away to friends or charity. You will probably be glad you did it now rather than having to move it all to your new home! To add warmth and charm to your house when buyers visit, play soft, mellow music. Turn on all lamps and chandeliers to make the house glow even during the day. Also, whenever possible, pets and children should not be around. |