Home
Exterior 
Home
Interior
Over-improving
Doesn't Pay
Work
with Real Estate Agent in Showing Your Home
Home
Exterior
A
Good First Impression Can Help Sell Your Home
When you are showing your home to prospective buyers, first
impressions are the most lasting and the most important to its
sale.
Your
major role as a seller will be to make your home as attractive
as possible to potential buyers. The time, effort and limited
financial investment involved can give you the competitive edge
needed to sell your home when you want at the price you want.
Your Home's Exterior Creates the Prospective Buyer's First Impression
Since
the exterior of your home is the first thing a prospective buyers
sees, a little time and effort can make a big difference in
the impression your home creates that pay big dividends when
the sale is made.
Use
this checklist to make sure your home's exterior looks its best:
Lawn is well cut and neatly trimmed around the walks and drive.
Flower
garden is weeded.
Shrubs
are trimmed and dead trees and branches are eliminated.
All
debris is disposed of and toys and lawn equipment are neatly
stored.
Fences
and gates are repaired and repainted, if necessary.
The
roof, gutters and downspouts are in good repair.
Cracked
windows and torn screens are replaced. Screens, windows and
window sills are washed. Doorknobs are polished.
Doorbell
and front lights are in good working order.
If
you would have planned to paint the house within the coming
year, consider painting the house before showing it. A new paint
job, well done, will normally enhance the sale value a good
deal more than the cost of the paint.
Remember,
if your home's exterior looks clean, orderly and in good repair,
that's the impression your house will first convey.
Home
Interior.
A
Spotless Interior Will Reinforce Your Home's Good First Impression
Interior
dirt and clutter can obscure your home's good points, so start
with a full housecleaning from top to bottom. Store unused or
unnecessary items in closets and storage areas or hold a garage
sale. Eliminate clutter and your home will look more spacious
รท an important selling point.
Take
an inspection tour of your home, observing it as a potential
buyer would, and use the following checklist to make sure it's
ready to show:
Walls
are clean and free of smudges, fingerprints and dents.
Woodwork
and wallpaper are inspected for problem areas; wallpaper is
cleaned and woodwork waxed.
Badly
worn furniture is temporarily stored in a family's or neighbor's
attic or basement.
Curtains
and drapes are freshly laundered.
Rugs
and carpets are shampooed. Floors are waxed.
Loose
doorknobs, sticking doors, windows and warped drawers are repaired.
Leaky
faucets are fixed. Water discoloration in sink is eliminated.
Loose
stair banisters are tightened and steps are free of objects.
Light
fixtures are in good working order. Discolored or cracked switch
plates are replaced.
Closets,
shelves and drawers are organized to display spaciousness.
Clothing
is hung neatly and shoes and other objects are neatly arranged.
Bathrooms
are sparkling clean. Tub and shower caulking is repaired.
Bedrooms
are neat. Bedspreads and curtains are attractive.
The
kitchen is clean and tidy, including cupboards, stove and oven.
The
basement, attic and garage are clean and well organized.
Mirrors,
picture frames and glass covering pictures are clean.
Mirrors
are strategically placed to create an impression of added space
in problem areas.
Lamp
shades are in good condition.
Electrical
connections are plugged in.
Consider
painting walls and replacing carpeting if cleaning doesn't do
the trick.
It
is also important to keep lighting in mind when you show your
home. Good lighting will make your home seem more cheery and
spacious.
Over-improving Doesn't Pay
Don't
plan major improvements on your home. Most home-buyers want
to make their own major changes. You are usually wiser to sell
them the potential at a price they can afford.
What
You Can Do to Help Your Real Estate Agent Show Your Home.
Showing
your home is all important to its sale, and there are many ways
you can help your real estate professional do his or her job
successfully.
Here
are some last-minute details that will maximize your home's
selling potential:
The
television and radio are turned off or low enough to allow the
salesperson and buyer(s) to talk, free of disturbances.
Children
and pets are sent outdoors to play or otherwise entertained
to eliminate confusion and to keep the prospect's attention
focused positively on your house.
Bad
odors are eliminated. Air freshener is used before the potential
buyer arrives, especially if you have pets or the house has
been closed up for some time.
The
house has adequate lighting (during daytime, drapes are open;
at night plenty of lights are on, including the porch light).
Wood
is stored next to the fireplace. In winter, a fire is lit.
The
kitchen sink is free of dishes.
Magazines
and children's toys are in order.
Plants
have been watered and look healthy.
Fresh
flowers are arranged tastefully around the house.
What
You Can Do While Your House is Being Shown:
Be
courteous, but don't force conversation with the potential buyer(s).
Ask your real estate broker or agent if your presence is necessary.
Never apologize for the appearance of your home. Let your real
estate broker or agent answer any objections.
Leave it to your real estate professional to emphasize the features
of your home.
Make sure your agent or broker knows where you are so you may
answer questions, but don't tag along.
Let your real estate professional discuss price, terms, possession
and other factors with the potential buyer(s).
Remember, your real estate broker or agent has the experience
and training necessary to bring negotiations to a successful
conclusion. And, if you've followed the guidelines provided,
you'll know you've already done your part in helping your home
sell by making sure it creates a good first impression.
