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Dress
For Success: Before
you put your house on the
market, its best to put a shine to it. The way you present your
property to prospective buyers can make all the difference. Without investing in expensive and time-consuming renovation and redecoration, it's still possible to show your home to its very best advantage.
Curb
Appeal: That
first impression when prospective buyers
drive up is very important. If they don't find the outside appealing,
they won't be interested in seeing what's inside.
The
Yard: Mowed
lawns, trimmed shrubbery and clean windows
are a start.
- Planting a few
flowers or plants can do a lot to a
front yard.
- Fertilize and
water the lawn and plants thoroughly
2-3 weeks before putting the house on the market.
- Clean up oil
spots on the driveway. Make sure the
garage door opens easily.
- Swimming pools
should be clean along with the pump
and filters.
- Clean up and
throw away any junk or items laying
around the yard.
- Now is a good
time to have a yard sale, get rid of
those items that you don't plan to take with you. Do this before you
put your house on the market to greatly reduce the "detrimental clutter
look".
- Start packing
away little things that you don't use
everyday.
- Recycle
magazines, newspapers, bottles, cans and so
on.
- Pet droppings
can easily turn the buyer back to the
front door.
The
Exterior: If
your house could use a paint job and
you don't have the time or money, some times hosing it off (from the
bottom up) and repainting the trim will update the entire facade.
- At least paint
the side facing the street.
- A clean front
porch with a fresh looking front door
that opens smoothly is a must.
- Any broken
windows should be fixed now as they will
most likely be before closing.
- A few gallons
of stain or paint can add real impact
to a fence.
The
Interior: Inside,
everything should be spotless.
- Spending $100
to have someone do heavy "spring
cleaning" if needed can bring a return many times over in the sales
price and time on the market.
- A fresh coat of
light colored paint on the walls is
always recommended.
- Painting only
the trim and the doors will add a lot.
- Check to see
that all doors open and close freely.
Oil any squeaky doors.
- Replace any
burned out light bulbs. Brighter lights
enhance many rooms.
- Steam clean the
carpets if new carpeting is not
possible and to help eliminate any pet odors. Wash and wax linoleum
floors. Repair or replace damaged or missing tiles.
- Bathrooms
should sparkle. Remove soap scum and
mildew. Replace old looking toilet seats. Kitchens should be clean and
bright. Clean oven and stove top. Exhaust fans should be free of grease
and dust. Clear all unnecessary objects from the countertops.
- Keep curtains
and blinds open and interior lights on
for a bright warm cozy feeling.
- Store stuff and
clutter under beds, not in closets.
Focus
Rooms: Buyers
react most strongly to kitchens,
bathrooms and closets, so it pays to concentrate your efforts here.
Sometimes just switching door handles, knobs, and light switch plates
is a dramatic improvement. Replacing new shower curtains and sink
faucets can pay off.
Tip:
Preview
the competition's open houses to
see what you are up against in both pricing and condition. Potential
buyers will be previewing these and more.
In
General: Try
to look at your house "through the buyer's eyes" as though you've never
seen it before. A lockbox is the number one importance. "If you don't
have it, agents won't show it."
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