There is nothing like a good first impression to drive a sale.
And there is nothing more lasting than a bad first impression.
Outside
Begin the process of readying your house for sale by stepping
outside and evaluating the property from curbside. Trying to be
objective, ask yourself what a newcomer will notice as they drive up
to the property. What is the general first impression?
- Has the exterior of the house been well taken care of?
- How does it compare with the other homes in the neighborhood
(if applicable)?
- Has the landscaping surrounding the house been maintained?
- Do toys, tools, or trash litter the landscape and detract
from the appeal of the house?
Complete your inspection by walking around the house and into the
back yard. Remain critical! Keep in mind that you are pretending to
wear the shoes of a potential buyer. You are also following a path
that will be walked by a home inspector or other individuals hired
by the buyer to give professional opinions about the property’s
façade and exterior characteristics. Prepare a list of action items
that will need attention immediately and that can be completed
without undue cost.
Inside
Conduct the internal inspection starting at the front door and
walking through the house as a buyer might. At each threshold stop
and review individual rooms to gain a general first impression. Make
a list of action items pertaining to the inside of the house. Things
to watch out for include:
Clutter - Piles of newspapers, magazines, toys and other
objects, and even mail distract from the fine points of a room and
contribute to making the room seem smaller.
Poor lighting - Inspect those things that contribute to
the brightness of the room. Open curtains and shades, make sure
windows sparkle from inside and out, replace burned out light bulbs,
and wipe down walls that contain smudges or marks. Good lighting can
contribute to a feeling of spaciousness.
Dirt - It appears in obvious places like heavily
trafficked kitchens and baths, and some inconspicuous places that a
serious buyer could investigate such as under furniture and
appliances, in closets, on windowsills, and inside of cupboards. If
your property is in a competitive market, it is strongly recommended
that you hire a professional cleaning service to completely clean
your house. A clean house gives the impression of being well cared
for and offers a subtle assurance to most buyers.
Too much furniture - This is often a problem when you
have occupied a property for a number of years. In some cases,
moving furniture from one room to another or removing certain pieces
altogether can greatly improve the look and feel of a room.
Poor decor - Keep an eye out for shabby fabric, colors
than clash, or decorations that are so personal that they make the
buyer focus on you rather than on your property. Also keep an eye
out for empty spaces that could be filled by inexpensive silk
flowers or plants, or other decorations that would spruce up the
room.
Summary
Make a list of positive and negative features of each room and
prepare to maximize the positives. Write down the finer points of
the home and provide this information to your Realtor® to be used in
creating promotional materials.
If you feel that there are major upgrades or changes that must be
completed in order for the house to sell seek the advice of a real
estate professional to get a second opinion before you invest your
money on renovations. Unfortunately, in markets where there are more
listings than buyers it is sometimes necessary to complete major
repairs even though the cost will not be recouped through the sale
of the house.
If your goal is to sell, you will have to do whatever it takes to
make sure the house sells. Stay focused on the goal. The process of
readying your house for sale requires a critical eye, an impersonal
attitude, and in some cases nominal money. Do it right, and you will
be rewarded by a timely sale!
