INSIDE

Creating the right impression gets you the best price and brings buyers to your door.

Take a good look at the inside of your home. Is it clean no marks on the walls, stains on the carpet? Inspect the bathroom, kitchen and closets because you can be sure a potential buyer will. Get rid of the clutter organize those closets and cupboards they will look bigger and more appealing. First impressions do count. You should make sure that the bathroom and kitchen are spotless. A deep clean is essential for creating the right impression, once this is complete keep on top of it with a daily vacuum and dusting.

Getting rid of clutter and deep cleaning your home can add an extra $2,000.00 to your selling price.

Bad smells are turn off. Open windows and air the property. Have potpourri discreetly placed. If you have cats change the litter box daily, makes sure that no pet smells permeate your home. On the subject of pets when showing your home, get a family member or neighbor to sit your pets while you show the property. Do not cook foods that smell or are greasy the smell will linger and may send your potential buyer running. When cooking use the extractor fans over the stove.

Stuff: What about all those things you’ve accumulated over time. Pack it away, the knickknacks, photos, mementos you know what I’m talking about. Sure, it depersonalizes your home but the buyer wants to be able to imagine living in your home. Get rid of at least a third of the clutter; your home will look larger and more inviting. Box it up and take it to temporary storage keeping it in the garage only makes the garage look smaller. Once you have sold your home you can keep it in the garage ready for moving day.

Walls: Can you get away with washing them or do they need painting. If you have decorated recently, you may be in a position where you don’t need to worry about the walls and may just have to wipe off any marks. Otherwise, you may want to consider brightening the walls, neutral colors are best and painting the ceiling, the same color as the walls makes the room look bigger.

Floors: This is something all buyers notice. Are the hardwood floors polished? Carpets in good condition, no stains, if linoleum is cracked, tiles are chipped then it is advisable to repair or replace.

Major renovations are for buyers not sellers so before you go to a lot of expense and hassle please see our topic titled “Adding Value.”

Look at your home through the eyes of a buyer. Have a trusted friend or and relative tell you of anything you may have overlooked. It may be worth paying for a pre- sale inspection. If there are any problems, you have the opportunity to fix them before potentially losing a sale. Escrow is not the time to find out about these things.

VIEWING

Fresh flowers and plants always create a good impression be careful not to over do it a buyer doesn’t want to feel they have entered a jungle. When showing your home safe guard viewers and protect yourself from possible lawsuits, it is a good idea to have all viewers sign a guest registry and show picture identification such as a drivers license. Remove any items that may trip a viewer. Child proof your deck and yard, lock up chemicals, tools and weapons that a child may get hold of and safeguard your property by hiding anything that can be easily broken or stolen.

Accompany anyone viewing your home. Remember when showing your property let the potential buyer know you are happy to answer their questions. Don’t overwhelm them with a running commentary, give them some space and answer their questions honestly, briefly and with confidence. Be knowledgeable on your area, your potential buyer may want to know about local schools, health and recreation facilities. Know your home, what is the water softener capacity, what about the loft insulation etc.? If you don’t have answers to questions, don’t try and bluff your way through it, that fools no one except maybe the person doing the bluffing. Say you don’t have the answer but you fill out and get back to them. Make sure you keep this commitment. The right approach will give you credibility; inspire confidence in your potential buyer that may get you the sale you are looking for.

Another tip when you have potential buyers viewing is to put on some fresh coffee or have freshly baked bread around - not for them to eat but the aromas have been proven to make a property more inviting and 'homely'.

OUTSIDE

It is not called drive by appeal for nothing. Potential buyers will drive by your home to check out if it is what they are looking for. It could be the perfect home in the perfect location but if the garden is unkempt, the windows are dirty, clutter on display a potential buyer is not going to knock on your door to see how clean and spacious the inside is.

Get rid of the clutter that includes the toys, the tools and the extra patio furniture. Cut back trees and shrubs keep any edges trim and in shape, plant colorful flowers. Any lawns should be kept cut and green. A little time and money spent on landscaping can add as much as $2,000.00 to your home. Keep widows clean and check the outside paintwork. Just painting the widow frames, shutters and door can make your home look fresh and inviting. Make sure door handles and locks are clean and shiny, tarnished and dull doesn’t do it. Check for tears in outdoor screens and replace outdoor light bulbs. Yes, some buyers do drive by at night.

Be objective about your home, drive up to it take a tour as if you were a potential buyer.