Within 15 seconds a buyer has developed an opinion of your property. This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to achieving a successful sale.
Street - Make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter and debris.
Sidewalk - Sweep your sidewalk if needed and remove weeds that may be growing between cracks.
Fence - A freshly painted fence gives a home a crisp look.
Driveway - Reseal your driveway.
Windows - Clean your windows and repair any damaged ones.
Roof - Replace any missing or broken shingles.
Doorway - Repaint the door and apply new hardware if needed.
Smell - Smell has more impact than you might expect. It can work for or against you. The smell of newness and cleanliness is positive. Beyond actual cleaning, lemon oil or lemon wax can create a lasting scent of freshness. Fresh flowers can be effective.
Light - People react more favorably to property shown under bright light. Keep your windows clean, use adequate wattage in light bulbs, use mirrors to magnify the feeling of light and space, use track lights to create a high-tech look, and open drapes and blinds and turn on lights prior to a showing.
Sound - The sounds of peace and quiet are some of the best sounds to have when your home is being shown. Avoid barking dogs, make sure there are no sounds of mechanical problems like banging pipes. Light classical music can be effective in creating a pleasing atmosphere.
Color - The colors in your home should be neutral and light. Shades of white, off-white and very light pastels are the safest choices for the interior. Try to limit bright colors to accents like fresh flowers, towels and area rugs.
The entry is where the first impression of the interior is created. The kitchen is considered the most important room and buyers look for impressive living rooms.
Entry - Repaint the entry using light, neutral colors. Replace plastic switch plate covers with brass or porcelain and make sure the room is well lit.
Kitchen - The kitchen can have a major impact on the value of your property. The following is a list of ideas to increase the appeal of your kitchen without spending a great deal of money:
- make sure the room is virtually spotless and smells fresh
- consider replacing outdated light fixtures with new track lighting
- spruce up kitchen cabinets by installing new knobs or hardware
- if your cabinets look especially old, you can have a professional replace the doors or door fronts
- if your appliances are dated by colors, consider having them professionally refinished in a new color like almond or white
Bathrooms - The bathroom has become an important selling feature in today’s home. Place a vase of fresh flowers on the vanity, replace an old toilet seat with a new one, replace old outdated lighting fixtures, place all personal care products out of sight, freshen the air with lemon scented products and add color and richness with new towels and a shower curtain.
Living Room - Buyers look for elegant and impressive living rooms. Use mirrors whenever possible to enhance the perception of size. Professionally clean wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs. Sand and refinish hardwood floors. Clean windows and light fixtures.
Bedrooms - Make sure the bedrooms are absolutely spotless, rugs should be cleaned, windows washed and closets organized. Bedrooms should be well lit.