A
Good First Impression Can Help Sell Your Home
You can
assist your real estate Agent or Broker when you are showing
your home to prospective buyers by remembering that first
impressions are the most lasting and the most important to its
sale.
Your
major role as a seller will be to make your home as attractive
as possible to potential buyers. The time, effort and limited
financial investment involved can give you the competitive
edge needed to sell your home when you want – at the price you
want.
Your Home’s Exterior creates the Prospective Buyer’s First
Impression
Since
the exterior of your home is the first thing a prospective
buyer sees, a little time and effort can make a big difference
in the impression your home creates. And pay big dividends
when the sale is made.
Use
this check list to make sure your home’s exterior looks its
best:
Ø
Lawn is well cut and
neatly trimmed around the walks and drive.
Ø
Flower garden is
weeded.
Ø
Shrubs are trimmed and
dead trees and branches are eliminated.
Ø
All debris is
disposed of and toys and lawn equipment are neatly stored.
Ø
Fences and gates are
repaired and repainted, if necessary.
Ø
The roof, gutters and
downspout are in good repair.
Ø
Driveways and
sidewalks are washed down and checked for cracking and
crumbling.
Ø
Cracked windows and
torn screens are replaced. Screens, windows and window sills
are washed. Doorknobs are polished.
Ø
Doorbell and front
lights are in good working order.
If you
have planned to paint the house within the coming year,
consider painting the house before showing it. A new paint
job, well done, will normally enhance the sale value a good
deal more than the cost of the paint.
If your
home’s exterior looks clean, orderly and in good repair,
that’s the impression your house will first convey.
A
Spotless Interior Will Reinforce Your Home’s Good First
Impression
Interior dirt and clutter can obscure your home’s good points,
so start with a full house cleaning from top to bottom. Store
unused or unnecessary items in closets and storage areas or
hold a garage sale. Eliminate clutter and your home will look
more spacious – an important selling point.
Take an
inspection tour of your home, observing it as a potential
buyer would.
Ø
Walls are clean and
free of smudges, fingerprints and dents.
Ø
Woodwork and wallpaper
are inspected for problem areas; wallpaper is cleaned and
woodwork is waxed.
Ø
Badly worn furniture
is temporarily stored in family’s or neighbor’s attic or
storage shed.
Ø
Curtains and drapes
are freshly laundered or cleaned.
Ø
Rugs and carpets are
shampooed. Floors are waxed.
Ø
Loose doorknobs,
sticking doors, windows and warped drawers are repaired.
Ø
Leaky faucets are
fixed. Water discoloration in sink is eliminated.
Ø
Loose stair banisters
are tightened and steps are free of objects.
Ø
Light fixtures are in
good working order. Discolored or cracked switch plates are
replaced.
Ø
Closets, shelves and
drawers are organized to display spaciousness.
Ø
Clothing is hung
neatly and shoes and other objects are neatly arranged.
Ø
Bathrooms are
sparkling clean. Tub and shower caulking is repaired.
Ø
Bedrooms are neat.
Bedspreads and curtains are attractive.
Ø
Kitchen is clean and
tidy, including cupboards, stove and oven.
Ø
The basement, attic
and garage are clean and well organized.
Ø
Mirrors, picture
frames and glasses covering pictures are clean.
Ø
Mirrors are
strategically placed to create an impression of added space in
problem areas.
Ø
Lamp shades are in
good condition.
Ø
Electrical connections
are plugged in.
Ø
Consider painting
walls and replacing carpeting if cleaning doesn’t do the
trick.
It is
also important to keep lighting in mind when you show your
home. Good lighting will make your home seem more cheery and
spacious.
Over-Improving Doesn’t Pay
Don’t
plan major improvements on your home. Most home buyers want to
make their own major changes. You are usually wiser to sell
them the potential – at a price they can afford.
You can
do a lot to help your real estate agent show your home.
Showing your home is all important to its sale, and there are
many ways you can help your real estate professional do his or
her job successfully.
Here Are Some Last-Minute Details That Will Maximize Your
Home’s Selling Potential
Ø
The television and
radio are turned off or low enough to allow the salesperson
and buyer(s) to talk, free of disturbances.
Ø
Children and pets are
sent outdoors to play or otherwise entertained to eliminate
confusion and to keep the prospect’s attention focused
positively on your house.
Ø
Bad odors are
eliminated. Air freshener is used before the potential buyer
arrives, especially if you have pets or if the house has been
closed up for some time.
Ø
The house has adequate
lighting (during daytime drapes are open; at night plenty of
lights are on, including the porch light).
Ø
The kitchen sink is
free of dishes.
Ø
Magazines and
children’s toys are in order.
Ø
Plants have been
watered and look healthy.
Ø
Fresh flowers are
arranged tastefully around the house.
What You can Do While Your House Is Being Shown
Ø
Be courteous, but
don’t force conversation with the potential buyer(s).
Ø
Ask your real estate
broker or agent if your presence is necessary.
Ø
Never apologize
for the appearance of your home. Let your real estate broker
or agent answer any objections.
Ø
Leave it to your real
estate professional to emphasize the features of your home.
Ø
Make sure your agent
or broker knows where you are so you may answer questions, but
don’t tag along.
Ø
Let your real estate
professional discuss price, terms and possession and other
factors with the potential buyer(s).
Your
real estate broker or agent has the experience and training
necessary to bring negotiations to a successful conclusion.
And, if you’ve followed the guidelines provided, you’ll know
you’ve already done your part by making sure your home creates
a good first impression.
