First impressions count.
If your home is for sale, or soon will be, creative a positive first impression is one of the most important things you can do. Here are steps you can take; most of them fall under simple maintenance and organization, but some of them could possibly help you decide when it’s time to move.
How to impress visitors
-Go outside. Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, remove dead tree branches and get rid of outdoor furniture you don’t plan to take with you.
-Clean the front door and lintels, or paint them if necessary.
-Check for leaks throughout the house. A drip may not seem important, but it could suggest poor maintenance elsewhere in the house. Don’t leave room for doubt in a buyer’s mind.
-Clean out closets and storage areas. Donate old clothes and furniture to local charities. This will create a sense of greater space in the home, and mean fewer items to move.
-Professionally clean the carpets. This is especially important if the carpeting will remain for the new owners.
-Flip every switch to make sure the electrical works throughout the house. Prospective home buyers will do this. Fix any switches that need help.
-Caulk around the tubs and sinks. New caulk looks better and you’ll also prevent those tricky leaks.
-Replace light bulbs that don’t work and use as much wattage as the fixture will take. Good illumination makes your home seem light and airy.
-Tour the property from a perspective of a first-time buyer’s point of view. Is there anything that may seem uncomfortable to visitors?
-Clean out medicine cabinets. Remove out of date items. Buyers might look in every nook and open every door. No one wants to be embarrassed by what they find.
-If you have a pet, make arrangements to have it elsewhere when your home is being shown. Some people have allergies. No one wants to be barked at or pawed at when they enter.
-Ask your broker to examine the property for specific showing tips to make your home more attractive when compared to others in the area.
