How to Make a Good First Impression
When showing your property, you only get one chance to make a good impression. The following are some suggestions that can increase the desirability of your property to potential buyers. And help you sell at the best price, in the least amount of time.Curb Appeal is Essential
A buyer’s first impression is formed by viewing the outside of your property. A mowed lawn, trimmed hedge and weeded garden, all help to create a good first impression. Inspect the exterior of your property, including shutters and windows. Steel or aluminum siding should be clean. If the house needs painting buyers will notice, and may consider it a major objection to purchasing your property.
Pay close attention to the front door, it should sparkle. Polish the doorknob, clean the glass and replace a worn screen.
Neatness Counts
A sparkling clean home greatly enhances its appeal to buyers. Scrub each room from top to bottom covering every nook and cranny. The entryway, kitchen and bathrooms are key areas, and should be given special attention.
Have the carpets steam-cleaned if it hasn’t been done recently. If your carpet is old or matted it will be a detriment to selling the property. Consider replacing it, or removing it if there are hardwood floors underneath.
Eliminate Clutter
Closets, cupboards, and other storage areas should be neat and uncluttered. Box up everything up you do not use regularly and donate it, sell it, throw it or store it. Look at each room in the house with "less is best" as your objective. Remove unneeded furniture to make each room appear more spacious. Kitchen countertops should be clear of everything except what you use daily.
If It’s Broken - Fix It
Repairs such as a loose door knob, broken dishwasher, dripping faucet, and squeaky or sticking door, all detract from a property’s value. An afternoon spent making needed repairs now can eliminate buyer’s objections later. Hire a professional, if needed.
Small Additions Can Make Big Impressions
With minimal expense, you can improve the appearance of any room. Consider replacing worn area rugs and throw pillows. New towels can brighten a tired kitchen or bath. Flowers add warmth and charm to any location. Identify the things you can do to make areas more pleasing to a buyer.
It’s A Team Effort
Enlist the help of all household members to get the house ready-keep it ready for prospective buyers. A few minutes spent tidying up each morning can make the difference for a showing in the afternoon!
Cost-Effective Tips to Sell a Home
Commentary by Dan Steward
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RISMEDIA, February 5, 2009-In today’s real estate market, sellers need additional advice on how to cost-effectively prepare their homes in order to sell quickly. With an abundance of homes on the market, waiting several months to sell a home could leave many recession-plagued sellers in financial distress.
For example, in October 2008, the median existing-home price was the lowest since March 2004 at $183,200. This means that a homeowner who lived in his or her home for four-and-a-half years is seeing the value of the home as the same or less than when the home was bought (CNNMoney.com, November 2008).
The good news is that although some homes may need extensive upgrades or renovations, many may only require simple changes. For a limited cost, or no cost at all, home sellers can fix their homes to appear more appealing to prospective buyers.
Here are some quick and inexpensive fixes to sell a home more quickly:
Focus on outdoor aesthetics. Cut back overgrown shrubs and plants. Hose down a dusty, dirty house. Sweep the driveway, sidewalk and any stairs.
Cost: $0
Eliminate odors. Before showing the house, open windows to let fresh air in; use air fresheners or baking soda to rid odors; sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and leave it for at least 10 minutes to make carpets smell clean.
Cost: approximately $15
Wash windows. Purchase a window-cleaning product to avoid professional costs. Clean windows make a home look well-kept and outdoor views more crisp.
Cost: approximately $25
In addition, consider scheduling a prelisting home inspection, an inspection conducted prior to putting the home on the market. These early inspections aid homeowners in identifying problem areas that can be easily repaired. For example, existing electrical, heating, or plumbing systems may need to be upgraded, or mold growth in a basement may require professional advice on how to eliminate dampness.
The home inspector can also suggest additional work to be done and what could be postponed. And, remember, a home inspector is an objective, third-party consultant who does not stand to profit from work suggested. A good assessment of the current state of a home and its systems will allow for more accurate planning and estimating as homeowners prepare a home to sell.
Dan Steward is president of Pillar To Post.
