Home inventories are at an all time high. There is a lot of competition with not only resales but new homes as well. Your home needs to stand out from the competition on the market. You only have one change to make a good first impression. Your home should look it’s best for all showings. I am not saying that you need renovate or update your home. The majority of the things that need be done are small and don’t take a whole lot of time to address. These small things could mean an offer coming in or not. I will go though some things that you can do ensure you home sets a good impression for the buyers that come through.
Starting with the interior of the home.
De-clutter – It’s amazing how much you can accumulate over the years. It happens to most of us. Too much clutter in the home distracts home buyers looking at your home, and can also make rooms appear smaller than they are. Here are a few tips to lighten the load:
- If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
- Clean off everything from Kitchen Counters.
- Pack up small items or knickknacks and put them in the closet for showings.
- Think of it as a headstart to packing for the move.
Remove Unnecessary Furniture.
Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, ” what is this room used for anyway?”
Small Repairs.
Making small repairs can go a long way. Many buyers spot small things that are broken and get the impression the home has not been taken care of. Things to address are burnt out light bulbs, loose door handles, marks on the wall, and leaky faucets.
Cleanliness is key. If prospective buyers walk in a home that is not clean they get tuned off quickly.
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Keep the carpet vacuumed on a regular basis.
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Don’t keep dishes in the sink.
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Clean the kitchen and bathroom counter tops.
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Sweep and mop floors when necessary.
The Home’s Exterior and Yard
Now lets take a look at the exterior of the home. Curb appeal is the most important. The front of the home is the first thing a buyer notices when looking at a photo on the web or advertising, or when they pull up to the home. Here are few things to look at in the yard and the outside of the home.
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Keep the sidewalks cleared.
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Mow the grass and keep the bushes trimmed.
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Powerwash the siding if needed.
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Plant yellow flowers. Yellow evokes a buying emotion and marigolds are pretty inexpensive.
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Clean decks and porches.
These are just a few tips to get your home ready for the market. They will definitely help and put you above your competition. You can get more advice on the Affinity Realty website.
Posted by gravescarey 