Selling Your Home?

First Impressions Are Important! You’ve heard that expression before. Whether you are preparing for a job interview or preparing your home for sale. First impressions are lasting! They may make the difference on getting the job or an offer to purchase your house.

So how can you make a lasting impression when selling your home? Follow these 10 simple tips and create the competitive edge that may help you sell your home more quickly in our current market.

• First Impressions are Inviting. Make sure the lawn is trimmed and clear of debris. Replace landscaping, if needed. Seasonal flowers add color that attract buyers’ attention and welcome them to your front door!
• De-Clutter, De-Clutter, De-Clutter! Showcase the space! Remove excess furniture and unnecessary articles. Have a garage sale or donate to Goodwill. Neat, well-ordered cabinets and closets show there is ample room for storage.
• Decorate for a Quick Sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal and indicate a lack of maintenance and care. Fresh paint gets attention and gives you an edge over the competition.
• Dress for Success. Staging a home for sale is like detailing a car. A smart auto seller details a car before selling it to add value. And, that added value equals more money in return. The same concept applies to staging a home for sale. Professional stagers set the scene so that buyers can imagine living there.
• Bathrooms Sell Homes. Dripping faucets suggest faulty plumbing! Check and repair the caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make these rooms sparkle!
• Kitchens Sell Homes, too. Kitchens are just as important as bathrooms! Make sure the sink is in good shape and the garbage disposal runs properly. Are any updates needed? Keep the counters free of clutter! Remember, cleanliness is next to…
• Repairs Can Make a Big Difference. Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from the value of a home. Have them fixed.
• Let the Sun Shine In! Open drapes and curtains and let buyers see how cheerful your home can be. Dark rooms are not appealing!
• Can You See The Light? Illumination is like a Welcome Sign. A prospective buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights. Don’t forget to turn on the ceiling fans, too.
• What Do I Smell? Odors can be offensive to prospective buyers and may cost you the sale of your home. Be aware of pet and tobacco smells and combat them vigorously.

Remember, First Impressions Are Lasting. Will Your Home Be Remembered?

This article was submitted by Merri Harrison, GRI, ABR with Keller Williams Realty – Heritage Office.

Merri is a Graduate of the Realtor Institute & an Accredited Buyers Representative with Keller Williams Realty – Heritage office. You may contact Merri for a free, no-obligation listing consultation at 210-387-9332.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 4:23 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.