Fast, simple fix-ups that will help
you sell your home
for the highest possible price!
By: Steven J. Bednarowski
It begins with the exterior!
The Interior
When You Let Potential Buyers
In The Door
Think of your home as a product
or service. You need to "package" it attractively to create a demand for it.
Here are some fast, inexpensive changes that should make your home stand out
among similarly-priced homes in your neighborhood:
It begins with the exterior!
Your yard, and the exterior of
your house, is the first impression that potential buyers have of your home.
Yard. Keep your lawn neat
and well trimmed, with well-proportioned shrubs. Consider replanting flowers or
creating a flowerbed to enhance the appearance of your yard. If it is the fall,
make sure the lawn is raked at all times. And in the wintertime, clear snow from
your driveway and walkways
The Front Door. Make sure
your door is tightly on its hinges! Furthermore, the door should be neat and
clean. Paint it if it needs it. If the door is in poor shape, consider replacing
it. Finally, a holiday ornament on the door, like a wreath, ads a nice touch.
Consider adding an inviting "welcome mat".
Home Exterior. Check for
flat-fitting roof shingles, straight lines on gutters, shutters, windows, and
siding; solid caulking around roofs and seams. Apply fresh paint where it needs
it. Also, make sure the windows are crystal clear; potential buyers often peer
through the windows.
The Interior
Lights. During the
evening, or whenever you have potential buyers in the home, make sure ALL of the
lights are on. This makes rooms look more inviting and spacious. Also, make sure
curtains are always up to let as much sunlight in as possible.
Smell. I recommend using
a vanilla air freshener that applies directly to your air filter. This gives
your home that "new model home" aroma.
Remove Excess Furniture.
Remove as much furniture as possible. This can make your rooms look dramatically
larger.
The Living Room. Strive
for lived-in, cozy feeling. Discard worn, chipped, frayed furniture. Add lamps
if it is dark. Open curtains. Set out fresh flowers.
The Kitchen. Many buyers
judge the house keeping by the oven and stove. Appliances should be spotless and
everything works perfectly. Replace or repair anything that sticks, squeaks or
drips. Clear clutter from countertops.
The Master Bedroom. This
is the second-most appealing room to a buyer (after the kitchen). Remove excess
furniture to make it appear larger. Show the true size of the closets by
removing or packing items that can be stored elsewhere.
Bathrooms. Make sure
bathrooms are always neat and clean. Remove clutter from sink countertops. Make
sure showers are free of scum and tile grout in good shape. Most buyers pay
close attention to this!
Basement. If possible,
make the basement look like a "living area." Clear out as much clutter as
possible (consider moving it into storage). If you have an extra sofa or
loveseat and coffee table, consider creating a living area.
When You Let Potential Buyers
In The Door
Make sure that the exterior and
interior are both in order! Furthermore, appeal to the potential buyers' senses:
make sure the lights are on, the home has a vanilla aroma, and perhaps soft
classical or jazz music playing on the stereo.
As your neighborhood real
estate expert, I wrote this report to help educate you and help maximize the
marketability of your home. These ideas are based on my collective experience. I
hope you found them to be valuable, and if there is ever any way I can be of
service to you or anyone you know, please contact me at
920-993-7258.
There’s no obligation, and I’d love to help you!
