This week Cherie and I were in the studio talking about marketing your home. If your house is on the market, and you wonder why your Realtor is not selling it, let me tell you this; price and condition dictate the sale, if it is not in great condition, then that should be reflected in the price. The problem with this reasoning is that with the proliferation of shows like "
Curb Appeal" and "
Designed to Sell", buyers expect to be wowed when they go into a prospective home. It doesn't have to cost a lot to make a home more appealing, but if you think of it as an investment, spending even $500 can make your house stand out and translate into a faster sale:
Landscaping: Mow and edge the lawn, pull weeds, fix any cracks in the pavement, and sweep up after yourself. Lay fresh mulch and plant fresh flowers (if in season). Entryways: Sweep the porch and stairs, lay down an attractive new doormat, fix the screens, wash the windows, polish the doorknobs, and clear the clutter out of the entryways. Make sure the doors open and close with ease. Interior: Scrub and shine the house throughout. Hide family photos, religious icons, or political paraphernalia. Prospective buyers need to envision themselves living in the house, and this stuff clutters their minds. Kitchen: Clean and polish everything and clear off the counters, especially knife racks, dish drainers, towels, and soap. Clear out and clean the inside of the refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher; people do look inside. Living Room or Den: Clear the clutter and dust everything. Rearrange the furniture and place excess items in storage. If your furniture is an eye sore, you may want to rent something that's more attractive and tasteful and that makes the room look larger. Bathrooms: Empty the trash, scrub down the tub or shower (especially any mildew areas), keep the toilet seat down and covered, and get those toothbrushes off the vanity. Bedrooms: The master bedroom should have a good-sized bed and a small dresser. The other bedrooms should follow suit or be empty. Just before showing: Do a final walkthrough to tidy up the place, turn on all the lights, and open the windows to let the fresh air in. Most stagers recommend against using heavy air fresheners, scented candles, and potpourri. Instead, set out a bouquet of fresh cut flowers to bring the outside in.
This Weeks Real Estate Insight: The first impression your home conveys to prospective buyers should create an emotional desire to own the home and enjoy the lifestyle and status it represents and give a lasting impression that motivates buyers to take that first step toward closing the deal.
