A home has 60 seconds to make a lasting first impression! So make it a good one.
Pay attention to the curb appeal:
- Trim back trees and shrubs that block windows or views.
- Plant colorful flowers in the front yard.
- Paint the exterior, if needed.
- Pay special attention to the front door, front windows, and garage door. - Be sure that the front yard is cut and trim.
Clean it up:
- Builders set up a model home with just enough furniture to make the rooms appealing.
- Remove large-scale furniture when possible as they make rooms appear smaller.
- Open up tight traffic flow areas, and highlight key areas with lighting to accentuate the charm of your home.
Make it nice, spacious, and bright:
- Replace the light bulbs to the maximum wattage allowed by your fixtures.
- Open all shades, shutters, and drapes.
- Organize your closets. Have extra hangers in the entry closet with room for coats.
- When replacing worn or dated carpets, re-carpet everything the same throughout the house. However, keep in mind that some people prefer hardwood floors to carpeting, so don't overspend.
- If painting the interior, use white or very light shades of color. This creates an empty canvas for the buyer to work with.
Appeal to all of the senses:
- Make sure your home is free of offensive odors.
- Turn on soft music, and turn the TV off.
Stay out:
- When prospective buyers are viewing your home, give them the privacy to discuss your home freely among themselves. They need to feel at home in your home.
- So, take a walk or visit a neighbor while the buyers are touring your home.
Be sure your home gets proper exposure:
- The more potential buyers that tour your home, the greater the chance that you will obtain top dollar for your home.
- Be certain that the marketing plan for your home includes advertising and marketing.
Time your sale:
- Some homes have a better chance of selling at a better price if they are shown at the right time of the year.
Don't let your listing get stale:
- Be sure your home doesn't stay on the market too long.
- If your home has not sold in a reasonable period of time, call your real estate agent and analyze together why the home has not been sold yet.
- Review the marketing plan and price. It may be wise to take it off the market and try again later.
- A house that stays on the market too long will go "stale", and stale listings generally sell for a lower price!
Price it Right:
- DON'T UNDERPRICE, BUT DON'T OVERPRICE IT EITHER.
- If you can back up your price with recent comparable sale prices for similar homes, then you need not reduce your asking price.
- Remember, overpriced homes scare away both agents and buyers.
Disclose:
- This is the time for the seller to beware! It is the law to disclose, accurately and completely, everything about your home!