Increasing your home's appeal
National Association of Realtors says “curb appeal” sells 49 percent of all houses. What is curb appeal? It’s the visual attractiveness or the charm of a house when first seen from the street or “curb”. Basically, the front of the home should be alluring and appealing enough for an interested buyer to stop the car and write down the real estate agent's name and number.
The home selling market is a tough these days and when you're selling a home, you need to make a great first impression. Creating curb appeal is the key to getting your home noticed as the buyers drive around the neighborhoods to find their perfect place to live.
Remember the 60-second rule: That's all the time you have to create a winning first impression.
Use these simple techniques of showcasing your house for a fast sale and top dollar.
Exterior
Take a look at the front of your home with a new set of eyes, that loose rail on the porch or faded trim around the house may not stand out to you the same way a prospective buyer would see it.
Remember; always do the obvious- The Yard
- The House
- Be Inviting
In addition to adding beauty and value to your home, simple landscaping can add charm and make your home more engaging and inviting.
Keep the grass cut and neatly trimed and remove all yard clutter. Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds and trees, trim the bushes and remove any dead branches.
Make it look cared for. Apply fresh paint to wooden fences, trellises, and wrought iron accents. Tighten and clean all door handles and fix anything that's hanging or broken. Keep outdoor lights in good working order. Clean windows inside and out and power wash the home's exterior if possible. Make sure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
Fresh paint the front door and maybe a seasonal wreath to say “Welcome, one and all”. Decorate the entrance with potted flowers if it's spring or summer or evergreens in the cooler months. Buy a new welcome mat.
Interior
Presenting your home in its best and most appealing light can be easy. The rules are simple: clean, fix, de-clutter, and de-personalize. This allows everyone to "see themselves" in the home.
- Furnishings
- Storage
- Lighting
- Carpeting
- Décor
- Minor Repairs
Evaluate the furniture in each room and remove anything that interrupts "the flow" or makes the room appear smaller. Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site.
Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves. Remove enough items from your closets that you can hang clothing without touching the garment next to it.
Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans. Replace any burned-out light bulbs and aged or damaged lamp shades .
Shampoo carpets. Take a hard look at your carpets. Are they stained or worn? Replacing carpets is often an excellent investment because it will give your home that "new" look that everyone wants. Remove area rugs, throw pillows, and throw blankets.
Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks and personal family portraits.
Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
Clean or paint walls and ceilings.
Replace worn cabinet hardware and door knobs.
Fix or replace discolored grout.
Replace broken kitchen and bathroom tiles.
Replace worn countertops.
Special details for showings
- Turn on all the lights.
- Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime.
- Keep pets secured outdoors or if possible, send your pets to stay with family or friends.
- Buy new towels for bathrooms.
- Buy new bedding for bedrooms.
- Replace old lamps or lampshades.
- Play quiet background music.
- Light the fireplace or clean out the ashes and light a candelabrum.
- Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.
- Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party.
- Vacate the property while it is being shown.
Dress for success! The goal is to create a home interior that looks brighter, bigger and more inviting to potential buyers. When potential buyers first enter your home, it is the first impression that will stay with them when considering purchase. Staging your home provides potential buyers with a visual representation of a home and can help you sell your home quickly and for a competitive price.
