People usually decide within the first two minutes if they like your home. The first impression is often the lasting impression. And they start forming their opinion before they even walk in the front door.
So, it is smart to ask yourself, if your house is as presentable as it can be for a faster sale at the best price? The best way to find out is to imagine yourself as a prospective buyer. You have probably been looking at other homes anyway, so approach your present home the same way that you look at others.
Your real estate professional will do all the things necessary to bring in the prospects, but when it comes down to things, your house is going to have to help sell itself.
Here are the 23 time-tested tips that we suggest when making your home more presentable. A great rule to follow is to do cosmetic things, which will improve your chances of selling, Try to avoid making major changes unless they will increase the value of your home by more than what it costs to make the improvement.
CLEAN UP, FIX UP, PAINT OUTSIDE
- Curb Appeal! Invest in landscaping can be noticed right away. A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubbery, and clean walkways all create a good first impression.
- Additional fertilizer, in season, will make your grass look lush and green.
- Cut back overgrown shrubbery that may block sunlight from entering the home.
- Paint your house if necessary. This can probably do more for sales appeal than for any other reason. If you don’t want to paint the entire house, then at least touch up your shutters and window frames.
- In winter, be sure that your sidewalks and walkways are clear of ice and snow.
- Take a look at your roof and gutters. Are there any missing shingles? Are the gutters and downspouts in the correct place!
- Consider putting a few flowers (real or fakes) outside the front door.
- Repaint the front door.
- Paint your mailbox or mail slot.
- Repair any outdoor steps or railings.
KITCHEN
- The kitchen is the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive. If it’s dull, try painting the cabinets and adding some perky curtains.
- Don’t forget to clean the ventilating hood over the stove.
- If the kitchen floor looks worn, put down new flooring. Replace any missing or broken tiles. To remove an old tile try softening the adhesive with an iron covered by a soft cloth.
- Remove any appliances that you keep on your countertops. Clean counters make the kitchen look larger.
BATHROOM
- Repair dripping faucets.
- Keep fresh towels in the bathroom.
- Use special cleaning products to remove stains from toilets, bathtubs, showers, and sinks.
- Unclog any clogged drains.
LIVING AREAS
- Be sure that all plaster is in tip-top shape, Cracks and holes can easily be fixed.
- Check ceilings for any leak stains. Fix the cause, then repair and paint the ceiling.
- When painting and redecorating, try to avoid offbeat colors. Stick to conventional white and easy to work with pastel colors inside the home.
- Faded curtains and bedspreads can be dyed bright colors.
- If you have a fireplace, clean it out and lay a few logs inside to make it look inviting.
