We all know the importance of a
first impression.
Apply these suggestions so your home
doesn’t overstay its welcome on the market.
CURB APPEAL
This is one of the most important steps. People often judge a book by its cover, and
if your home isn’t well kept on the outside, chances are you won’t get much
activity on the inside.
Keep up with landscaping – mow the lawn, trim any overgrown
hedges and make sure your front walk is presentable. In addition, remove any outside toys, wash
the windows and make your front door welcoming – maybe a fresh door mat or a
seasonal wreath.
DE-CLUTTER
When a prospective buyer first steps into your home, they
should immediately notice the layout.
They shouldn’t be distracted by too much furniture, toys or wall
hangings. Remove everything that you can
live without.
KEEP IT CLEAN
When buyers look at multiple properties, they will start to
associate certain things with each home so they’ll remember it. You want your home to be remembered for a
nice yard or a great location; not because it was dirty. Vacuum, dust, make sure the kitchen and
bathrooms are clean, and keep the house in a tidy condition – as if you were
expecting company.
REMOVE YOURSELVES
Potential buyers want to picture themselves in your home, so
images of you and your family must go.
Which leads us to…
START PACKING
Get a head start on your move by packing anything you don’t
absolutely need. You can give a buyer a
better prospective of the closet space if you remove the seasonal clothes
you’re not using at the moment. People
would rather see a neat arrangement of moving boxes in the basement rather than
excess clutter.
LIGHTEN UP
Before showing your home, open blinds or curtains to filter
in natural light. Turn on any decorative
lighting to create a warm atmosphere.
MAKE YOUR ROOMS INVITING
Once you list your home, it’s technically not yours anymore. What may have worked for you might not be
appealing to someone else; so don’t be afraid to move your furniture
around. Highlight the features and focal
points in each room, such as a fireplace, a window seat, etc.
NEUTRALIZE YOUR WALLS
Only if the color palette in your home might possibly remind
your potential buyers of being under a circus tent should you consider slapping
some neutral tones on the walls. Ultimately, people will change the walls to
what they prefer, but it doesn’t hurt to give them a clean slate to work with.
ADD AN EXTRA SPECIAL TOUCH
If you want to add a little something extra, a potted plant
on the front doorstep, fireplace candelabra, and dining room floral arrangement
are all nice touches.
Article by Kim Fromentin
