Real Estate
Report:
Fast, Simple Fix-Ups That Will Help
You Sell Your Home For
The
Highest Possible Price!
By Lynn Byrne
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 a 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 should work 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 386-566-7503. There’s no obligation, and I’d love to help you!
Best Regards,
Lynn Byrne
CenterPointe Realty
www.lynnbyrne.com
386-566-7503
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