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People
usually decide within two minutes whether they like your house.
The first impression is
often the lasting impression. And they start forming their opinion
before they even walk in the front door! So it is smart to ask
yourself if your house is as presentable as it can be for a
faster sale at the best price. The best way to find out is to
imagine you’re a prospective buyer. You’ve probably
been looking at other homes; so approach your present home the
way you look at other houses. Your real estate representative
will do all of the things necessary to bring in the prospects
but when it comes down to the nub of it, your house is going
to have to help sell itself.
Here are tips to make
your home more presentable. A good rule to follow is to do cosmetic
things which will improve your chances of selling, but avoid
making major changes unless they will increase the value of
your home more than the cost of the improvement.
Clean
up, fix up, and paint up outside:
1. Invest
in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight. A well manicured
lawn, neatly clipped shrubbery, cleanly swept walks create a
good first impression.
2. An extra shot
of fertilizer, in season, will make your grass look lush and
green.
3. Cut back overgrown
shrubbery that looks scraggly or keeps light out of the house.
4. Paint your house
if necessary. This can probably do more for sales appeal than
any other factor. If you decide against painting, at least consider
touching up front shutters and window frames.
5. In winter walks
should be free of snow and ice.
6. Inspect the roof
and gutters. Any missing shingles to replace? Gutters and down
spouts in place? Need paint or repair?
7. Consider putting
flowers outside the front door.
8. Repaint the front
door.
9. Put a bright
coat of paint on your mailbox.
10. Repair broken
outdoor steps.
Kitchen:
11. The
kitchen is the most important room in the house. Make it bright
and attractive. If dull, paint cabinets and put up perky new
curtains.
12. Clean the ventilating
hood in the kitchen.
13. If the kitchen
floor is badly worn, put down new flooring. Replace any loose
tiles. To remove a loose tile, first soften the adhesive by
applying heat with an iron covered by a soft cloth.
14. Remove any appliances
that you keep on your counters. Clean counters make the room
look larger.
Bathroom:
15. Repair
dripping faucets.
16. Keep fresh towels
in the bathroom.
17. Use special
cleaning products to remove stains from toilets, bathtubs, sinks
and showers.
18. If sink and
bathtub drain too slowly, unclog them.
Living
Areas:
19. Have
all plaster in top shape. Cracks or nail pops, visible seams
in dry walls are easy to fix.
20. Check ceilings
for leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage, repair the ceiling
and paint.
21. In painting
and redecorating, avoid offbeat colors, stick to conventional
white outside and easy-to-work-with pastels inside.
22. Faded curtains
or bedspreads can be dyed bright colors.
23. If you have
a fireplace, clean it out and lay some logs in it to make it
look inviting.
24. Wash windows.
25. Replace broken
glass.
26. Mend torn screens.
27. Check to see
that all windows will open and close.
28. Replace burned-out
light bulbs. Use brighter light bulbs.
29. Make sure every
light switch works.
30. Make the floors
shine; clean and polish them. And nail down any creaking boards
or stair treads. Drive two long finishing nails at opposing
angles throughout the floor and sub-floor into the joist.
31. Straighten up
the closets, get rid of excess items. Use air freshener to eliminate
musty odors. Lubricate any sticky or squeaking doors.
32. For doors that
stick slightly, rub a block of paraffin against the surface
that shows signs of wear.
33. For sliding
doors that stick in their tracks, rub the tracks with paraffin
or candle wax.
Basement,
attic, garage:
34. Clean
out attic, basement and garage and dispose of everything you
are not going to move. And package everything you won’t
need until you're settled in your new home.
35. Make sure there
is plenty of light on the stairs to the basement.
36. If your basement
is dark and gloomy, paint ceilings and walls a light color.
37. Repair cracks
in the basement floor with ready-mixed concrete.
When
your house is being shown:
38. Keep room draperies and shades open to let in
light. This also makes rooms appear larger.
39. Have your home well-lighted during showing.
40. At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting in back
if you have it.
41. Neatness makes a room look bigger. Avoid clutter.
42. If possible, leave your furniture and rugs in the house
for showing it."
43. Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters.
44. Keep any toys
in the children’s rooms. Bikes, wagons and skateboards
should be made as inconspicuous as possible.
45. Keep radio,
stereo, TV off or turned way down.
46. Take your family
away if your broker is holding an open house.
47. Children should
be quiet.
48. Refer direct
inquiries you receive about seeing your house to your Realtor
to take advantage of his/her professional skills in selling
your home.
49. Don’t mention
furniture or furnishings you wish to dispose of unless asked.
Such discussion can kill the sale.
50. Take pets outdoors
when your house is being shown.
51. Let the real
estate expert show your house, and don’t tag along. Answer
questions candidly when asked, but don’t offer answers
to unasked questions.
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