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Preparing Your Home for SOLD! A few great tips on creating an atmosphere that will charm buyers and make them want to buy your home. Remember that you’ll never get another chance to make a 1st impression. And 1st impressions are what counts! Follow this checklist to create that competitive edge that may help you sell your home more quickly.
The Checklist:
- First impressions are lasting! The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh, clean, and paint the trim.
- Keep the lawn trimmed, edged, and the yard free of refuse. Reseed the lawn and fertilize if necessary, weed the gardens, and add mulch. Deep green grass makes a lasting impression. In winter, be sure snow and ice is removed from walks and steps.
- Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look, when you can show him by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. An investment in neutral new kitchen paint will pay dividends.
- Let the sun shine in. Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be.
- Do the windows and window screens work well and look good? Have the windows spotless.
- Are the appliances operating properly and sparkling?
- Fix the faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.
- Repairs can make a big difference. Loose knobs, sticking doors, and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed!
- Safety first. Keep stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
- Pack excess linens and clothing to make the closets look bigger. Neat, well-ordered closets show the place is ample.
- Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair grout in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle. Don’t let the Handy Man add gobs of caulking when grout is what you need.
- Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and fresh looking window coverings.
- Have I removed or mentioned to Matt any attached items that are not included, such as special chandeliers, shelving or garden plants?
- Am I familiar with similar homes on the market that I may be competing against?
- Whenever possible leave your house for showings, if not, follow the tips below.
- Three’s a crowd. Avoid having too many people present during showings. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
- Music is mellow. But not when showing a house. Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the agent and buyer talk, free of disturbances.
- Silence is golden. Be courteous but don’t force conversation with the potential buyer. They want to inspect your house – not pay a social call.
- Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained agent answer any objections. This is his/her job.
- Remain in the background. The agent knows the buyer’s requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don’t tag along. You will be called if needed. Allow the buyers to take “psychological possession.”
- Why put the cart before the horse? Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishing to the potential buyer before they have purchased the house often loses the sale.
- Let the Realtor discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer. They are eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.
- Never let anyone through the house who just “shows up”, especially without an agent!
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