Selling Your House for the Best Price in the Least Amount of Time
You only get one chance to make a first impression.
It is estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before the buyers even get out of the car. Stand across the street from your house and review it's curb appeal. What can you do to improve that very first impression?
In most cases the decision to purchase a home is an emotional response to what the buyer has seen, who they are, who they want to be, and most importantly, who they will become. A new house inspires dreams of the future! Those dreams need a clean slate to start.
MINIMIZE: Eliminate clutter and remove bulky or awkward pieces of furniture. It will make the house look larger and more tidy. It's easier for the buyer to imagine themselves, their furniture and their lifestyle in a house that looks roomy and comfortable. If your walls are groaning under the weight of pictures or other objet's d'arts, put some of the larger pieces in storage. Expose the walls and arrange the furniture in small, informal groups. Remove papers, unhealthy plants. Store toys. Mow, trim, weed, water, garage or remove extra vehicles from curb view.
CLEAN: A clean house is easier for buyers to navigate and gives the impression of a well-maintained home. Make sure the windows sparkle! Pay attention to invisible details, like scent. A neat little trick is to pop an apple in the oven or put up a pot of coffee before the prospective buyer arrives. Scented candles are sometimes overpowering and not to everyone's liking. There is always the suspicion that it is covering a more offensive odor. Incense that smells like a woodfire is subtle and suggests coziness. A real woodfire, is of course best! Clean and polish sinks, tub and shower. Clean carpets, polish furniture and woodwork. Make everything SHINE!! Wash and clean bulbs, dry-clean or wash drapery and curtains. Remove cobwebs, make sure windows sparkle!
REPAIR: Fix everything. It really hurts to put a key in the door and have the doorknob come off in your hand. Buyers usually over-estimate the cost of repairs. A little oil will make windows and sliding doors gilde easily. Repair dangerous cracks in sidwalk. Fix all leaks, check bulbs patch and paint wall and ceiling cracks. Repair toilets, appliances furnace, ac, water heater and ceptic system. When you are done, you can honestly say 'Everything works!"
FRESHEN: A little paint in light, neutral colors can do wonders to refresh a tired house. Wax or polyurethane the floors. Have the kitchen cabinets professionally cleaned. Change the faucets and doorknobs if they don't gleam. Buy new bedspreads, throw rugs, towels and shower curtains.
ACCESSORIZE: You can get creative here. Start at the front door and add charm...a flowered wreath, new house numbers or brass door fixture, a fresh layer of mulch. Put a mirror at the entrance --potted plants, fresh flowers, tiny fountains, strategic lighting, music. Drape an afghan over a chair or couch. Display a collection, or a project in progress. Arrange decorative pillows or shams on beds and sofas. These are the finishing touches that add a dash of intrigue to the environment.
Good Luck to you! Don't forget to email me for your free Feng Shui consultation with every listing!!!
Very best,
