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One of the first
things we will do before putting your house on the market is prepare
your house for sale. We want to show your house off in its best
light to maximize your earning potential. We will tour your house
with the eye of buyer – what
works, what doesn’t work.
Curb Appeal
Does your house have curb appeal? Can we give it a little more pizzazz
to draw the buyer in? Would a bit of touch-up paint add dollars
to the sale? What about the garden? Is the lawn in order and neatly
edged? Are trees and bushes neatly pruned? Are flowers in bloom?
If not, it may be time for a garden upgrade. Adding colorful annuals
to the front garden will make a big difference. Remember, creating
curb appeal will add dollars to your house’s final selling
price.
Curb
Appeal Checklist
- Inspect the outside ground. Remove any building materials, scrap
wood, discarded household items, etc. from the property. Store
garbage cans in the garage.
- Check the home from roof line down.
- Is the roof free and clear from obstructions and moss?
- Are the gutters clear and neatly hung?
- Are the windows clean and free from obstructions (such as overgrown
bushes or trees)?
- Are bushes, trees and shrubs neatly pruned?
- Inspect the condition of the paint or siding?
- Is it time to power wash the siding?
- Is touch up paint needed?
- Is the front door in good shape?
- Do flower beds need an upgrade?
- Are plants neatly pruned?
- Is the bed free and clear of weeds?
- Is the bed properly mulched?
- Are flowers in bloom?
- Keep the lawn neatly groomed.
- Is the lawn free from weeds?
- Is the lawn free from grass clippings?
- Is the lawn neatly edged?
Welcome Home
As we walk in the door of your house, we will ask ourselves, “Will
this house say, ‘Welcome home’ to a buyer?” Looking
through the eyes of a buyer, we will recommend changes that will
enhance sales appeal.
Eliminate anything that gives the appearance
of clutter. Countertops should free and clear. Knickknacks, souvenirs,
family photos, refrigerator artwork – it’s gone. We need to “de-personalize” the
house so buyers can imagine it as their home.
Reviewing your home room-by-room, we will make recommendations that
impact the sale. Pieces of furniture that should be removed, rooms
that need new paint, carpet that needs to be changed, fixtures that
need polishing, windows that need cleaning, and any other improvements
that can easily be made to promote the sale.
Setting the Stage
Before the first buyer walks in your door, I’ll show you how
to set that stage. We want to engage the buyer’s senses. Lighting
is crucial. We’ll draw back curtains, open blinds, change light
bulbs and adding lighting where needed to welcome the buyer. We’ll
enhance the ambiance with music playing lightly in the background
and insure a pleasing aroma emanates from every room.
Staging Your Home Checklist
• Remove all clutter from the house
- Are countertops free and clear?
- Have you removed unnecessary furniture throughout the house?
- Remove the art gallery and coupon collection from the refrigerator.
• Check the bathrooms
- Are the surfaces clean and clear?
- Are shower curtains and doors hung properly?
- Is the floor clean and fresh?
- Are towels neatly hung?
• Check the walls
- Is paint and wallpaper fresh and clean?
- Are the walls free from holes?
- Are there any colors or objects on the walls that need to be
removed?
• Check the floors
- Is the carpet clean and free from stains?
- Are hard surface floors clean and free from stains?
• Pet check
- Are there any signs that this is a pet’s
home? Be sure to clean and remove kitty litter, pet toys and
bedding.
• How’s the aroma?
- Try to air out the home prior to showings
- If air freshener is necessary, use well before showings as a
consideration to those with allergies.
• Set the mood prior to showings
- Open draperies and blinds.
- Turn on the radio to a classical music station,
set the volume on low.
- If you have time, cook a batch of cookies to have
the arm, welcoming aroma permeating the home.
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