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-Make Your Home A Hot Property
The single most important thing you can do to
sell your home quickly – next to correct pricing – is to showcase
your home in it's ideal condition.
It matters not that potential buyers viewing your home might have dirty
dishes stacked at their own home, jammed closets or pet smells. You, however,
need to forsake the real life for the ideal life while you home is on
the market. Studies have proven these simple tips are effective in getting
top dollar for your home.
Love at First Sight:
Maximize your curb appeal to start your showing in a positive fashion.
Make sure your yard is edged, your grass is green, your garden, hedges
and trees are manicured, and that your paint is fresh (or at least not
peeling.) Pressure wash your driveway, walkways, and the house itself.
Remove all yard clutter, including toys. Make sure your eaves, fascia
and soffits are attached, window screens are in good repair, and doors
are fresh and functional. Replace aged mailboxes, house numbers or other
entrance appointments such as doorbells.
Be doubly sure porch railings and such are secure, steps are structurally
sound, and that there is no hazard in your yard for visitors.
First impressions are lasting.
Open Wide…
The first proven rule to successful staging for sale is to help the potential
purchaser imagine themselves living in your home. That means you need
to create space and neutralize. Remove brick a brack (and valuables!)
such as collections, family photos and other excessively personal touches
that could distract the potential purchaser.
Open up as much space as possible in every room by removing excess furniture,
and reduce closet contents by 50% to give your home an open, airy feeling.
You may wish to secure a storage locker to keep unsightly boxes, spare
furniture and extra clothing. In this case, LESS IS MORE.
Cleanliness is Next to God…
Your home is in direct competition with new homes that are vacant and
spotless; where appliances are new, paint is fresh and the condition pristine.
Studies show that $1500 invested in fresh paint will give you a 73% return
on investment. Consider painting in neutral colours to offer potential
purchasers a clean, blank canvas to work with.
Even if you don't paint, check the following areas for maximum cleanliness:
- Ensure foyer sparkles,
is uncluttered, and smells clean
- Make sure windows,
mirrors and other reflective surfaces shine
- Re-apply or clean
all caulking and grout
- Make sure all nail
holes are plastered and touched up; that baseboards are secure and that
any peeling wallpaper is glued.
- Vacuum daily.
- Consider boarding
pets while your property is on the market. At the very least, ensure
litter is always clean and pet food out of sight.
- Keep garbage out
of sight (and smell). Empty garbage receptacles daily.
- Ensure that beds
are made and dishes done at all times
- Keep small kitchen
appliances out of site at all times. The spaciousness of the kitchen
is a prime selling factor to many purchasers.
- Keep drapes open
during daytime, lightbulbs bright at night, and consider the value of
fresh air if in season.
- In winter, ensure
a boot tray is available, exterior walkways are cleared, and keep a
fireplace lit if you have one available.
- Organize storage
areas, such as garages, garden sheds, attics and basements. Remove all
clutter and stains.
- Be sure to clean
light fixtures and appliances thoroughly
- Wash or replace
blinds and curtains
If your home is clean, well maintained and of neutral décor,
there are a few touches that will give you the edge over a new home.
- Cover tables with
clean linen table cloths
- Place fresh cut
flowers in appropriate places
- Use subtle scents,
such as vanilla and lemon, to give the house a light, homey smell.
Minor Repairs Bring Major Returns:
Be proactive in the marketing of your home by reviewing it with a critical
eye. If there are repairs required, it may be in your best fiscal interest
to fix them rather than allow them to serve as an obstacle to a sale.
For example, a small water stain from a $500 leak repair could cause a
potential purchaser to fear that more extensive water damage is at hand
and could result in an offer reduced by $5,000. So know potential problem
areas and address them.
Low-cost repairs can also make a big difference on first impressions:
- Ensure taps do not leak
- Replace cracked windows
and repair screens
- Oil anything that squeaks
- Replace loose doorknobs
or cupboard handles
- Eliminate drafts
- Replace furnace and air
filters
- Replace outdated light fixtures
- Fill cracks in hardwood
floors (eg. beeswax effectively hides gaps) and plaster cracks or mars
in wall surfaces
- Fill mars in wood trim or
wainscotting
- Replace outdated electrical
or switch plates
Absence Makes the Viewing Longer...
Another important ingredient to a successful showing is your absence.
It's difficult for a potential purchaser to picture your home as theirs
with you in it. Your presence will also mean that clients won't discuss
freely their feelings about your home, which is an important opportunity
for the agent to address any concerns. Studies have shown that clients
will rush viewings where the homeowner is present.
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