A home that shows exceptionally well helps arouse the prospective buyer’s emotional desire to buy more quickly at a higher price. First impressions count. That’s why neat, clean homes get snatched up and others just sit on the market.
Builders spend 100’s of thousands of dollars to stage a model home properly. They do this for good reason. Buyers will buy the perceived value of the property….the image and feeling that they get from experiencing the property. It’s often been said that buyers buy on emotion. It’s true!!
Getting Ready....Start Outside
Stand across the street and look at your home from a potential buyer's viewpoint. Next, go to the corners of your back yard and look at your home with the critical eye of a buyer. Consider the following:
1) The buyer's strongest first impression of your home is with the front outside entry and door. Make this area fresh and inviting with plants, flowers, and, as needed, fresh paint. Make purchases which enhance the appearance of your home---large planters, new entry mats. You can take these items with you to your new home!
2) Is there 'clutter' in the front or back yard? Debris, leaves, dead branches, old swing sets, broken lawn furniture? Pick up tools and toys from the yard. Put garbage cans out of sight. Are there too many cars parked in the front or driveway?
3) Is the lawn trimmed, edged, weed-free, and fertilized? Edge between your lawn, drive, and walkways. Are the flower and shrubbery beds pruned, free of debris, and fresh looking? Do they need fresh mulch or plants? Repair cracks and pull weeds from walkways and the driveway. If you are an absentee seller, make arrangements for lawn care.
4) Is the exterior paint fresh? Hose it down to remove dust and cobwebs. Touch up or repaint as needed. The expense of repainting has an excellent return on the dollar.
5) Are all outside systems working? Is the sprinkler system functioning properly? Have the cooling and heating units been serviced?
6) If you have a pool/spa keep it clean and free of leaves and dirt. Is the pump/filter working properly and free of any leaks?
7) Are the patio/deck areas free of clutter? Is the outdoor furniture fresh and in good repair?
8) Sparkling windows are a signal to buyers that you care about your home. Wash exterior and interior windows. Replace or repair screens as needed.
9) Is the fencing in good repair? Do gates function properly and are hinges oiled? Does it need to be painted?
10) Is the roof in good repair? If not, you will probably want to have it fixed, and then paint over any water marks on the ceiling. Don’t paint to hide a problem, fix and then paint.
Freshen Up The Inside
The emotions that you, the Seller, are trying to stimulate are triggered by sensory experiences. Aim for the senses--- especially touch, smell, and sight. Uncluttered, clean, fresh-smelling homes sell faster and for higher prices.
11) Remove clutter from countertops, desks, and garage. Remove excess furniture. Organize closets, drawers, storage areas. Throw away, sell, or store excess! Rent a storage unit if necessary. Clutter makes the home appear smaller and masks the home's good points.
12) Freshen interior paint as needed. Again, fresh paint is the best bang for the buck. Light, neutral colors such as beige, white, or off-white have a broader appeal and can make small rooms seem larger and airier. Remove 'tired' or busy wallpaper. Brighten drab garage interiors, storage areas with fresh paint. Paint/stain woodwork as necessary.
13) Make kitchen and bathrooms sparkle. Clean/oil cabinets, clean appliances/fixtures. Add fragrances. New color-coordinated towels are an excellent investment. Fresh looking kitchen and bathrooms will often make or break a sale.
14) Clean floors and carpeting. Add carpet freshener to carpeting which is 'tired' or to eliminate smoking or pet odors. If you have a smoker in the house, ask that person to smoke outside and to dispose of the 'spent' smokes in the trash.
15) Make minor repairs. Tighten loose knobs, fix leaky faucets, lubricate squeaky hinges, replace filters, tighten loose banisters, repair doors and doorknobs, remove stains, and make sure your doorbell works.
16) Make sure all lighting fixtures work. Add new bulbs with the highest wattage allowed to make your rooms seem brighter. Light, airy homes seem bigger and more inviting.
17) Is the fireplace in good working order? Remove ashes from fireplace and add fresh logs.
18) Buy fresh, colorful indoor flowers or plants. They get a lot of mileage, and they will enhance your new home too.
19) Exterminate. One bug, dead or alive, will make a bad impression on prospective buyers. Hire a professional.
Minor Repairs Make Sense
20) Repairing small items lets a prospective buyer concentrate on the major, positive aspects of your home. As a general rule, don't make elective, major repairs/replacements unless they are a serious detriment to marketing your home. Elective major expenditures usually do not have a good return on investment--except, in some cases, carpeting/floorcoverings, countertops.
21) If you are considering making major repairs, please check with me first so that I can advise you which improvements will give you a good return on your investment.
