Home Merchandising Tips

Exterior Improvements Minimal or No Cost

Buyers often buy a home based on their feelings about it.  If you intend to sell your home, it’s important to keep in mind: Regardless of your location and price if something about your home “feels” wrong, buyers will look elsewhere.
Get the competitive edge by making sure all areas of your home are in top-top shape before putting it on the market.  Here are some ideas from ERA Advantage Realty.

•           Rake leaves, mow lawn and keep edges neat.  Lawns and flowers should be weeded regularly.  Trees and shrubs should be pruned and trimmed.  Lawns should be fertilized, watered and appear healthy.
•           Remove old lawn mowers, tractors, disabled autos, broken lawn ornaments, topless tables, armless lawn furniture and seat-less chairs.  They are reasons enough for a buyer to make a U-turn.
•           Hoses should be coiled or placed inconspicuously when not being used, other garden equipment should be stored in some type of shelter when not in use.
•           A yard should be free from unnecessary clutter; a place should be provided for children’s toys and equipment, all animal litter should be removed daily.
•           Fix garage door so it opens and closes.  Garage door should be closed during showings.
House and garage doors should be free from finger marks.  Wood surgaces should be kept painted, oiled or stained.
•           Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the home ust be uncluttered, clean and repainted.
•           Add color to the front of the home by planting flowers, or adding a potted plant to the front porch.  Hanging a seasonal wreath on the front door can make your home say “Welcome!”. Never use artificial plants in your flowerbeds.
•           Keep garbage cans deodorized and out of sight or placed inconspicuously.
•           Keep gates, fences, walls and outer buildings repaired and painted.
•           Metal accessories (doorknobs, door knockers, lamps, etc.) need to be clean and polished.
You may consider adding new brass house numbers or a kick plate to dress up the front door.
•           Paint the front, back and side entrance doors. Nothing looks worse than a peeling door.
•           If the fence is falling so is the sale! Get rid of it or replace it.
•           If you are neither prepared to , nor want to spend hundreds of dollars in exterior painting, be ready to make an immediate price adjustment, or listen to everyone who views the home say, “It will cost a fortune to have the house painted!”  If you can afford it, the money spent tiding up will be well worth the investment.
•           If the roof leaks, fix it!  Remove any or all evidence of leakage by whatever mean possible.

 

Home Merchandising Tips

Interior Improvements Minimal or No Cost

•           Wash all windows inside and out.  Curtains and drapes should be fresh and attractive.
•           Open all drapes, pull up shades, and let the light in.
•           Get all bugs & flies out of all light fixtures.  Wash fixtures and bulbs.  Put higher watt bulbs in all fixtures for better lighting.
•           If you cannot get rid of stains in toilet bowl, buy a new one.  This applies to all bathrooms, including the one in the basement that is seldom used.
•           If possible, send all cats, dogs, parrots, hamsters and the pet monkey to your bother- in-law from the day the house goes on the market until the day it is sold, and get rid of the odors that are left behind.  Over fifty percent of home purchasers are either allergic to, afraid of or simple dislike animals.
•           Clean all rubbish out of all fireplaces, particularly the ones that have not ben lit in the last three years.
•           If walls are dirty, one coat of white paint will work wonders.
•           Remove every bit of grease from the inside of the oven and burner trays.
•           Fix the front doorbell, storm door and front entry. (First impressions are lasting.)
•           Shampoo the carpets or carpeting. Organize the closets.
•           Put new washers in all dripping faucets.
•           Throw away the torn shower curtain and put up a new one.
•           Remove junk from the attic, basement, closets and tool shed and have a successful garage sale.  Contribute whatever remains to a charity.
•           Turn off all blaring phonographs, stereos, and television sets while the house is being shown. Soft music is more desirable.
•           Water all dying plants or get rid of them.
•           Adjust all doors, including closets and windows so they can be opened and closed.
•           Dust, clean and scrub everything, that means EVERYTHING - from attic to basement.
•           Replace broken tiles on walls or floors and re-paste loose or dangling wallpaper.
•           Keep kitchen counter tops and sink clean and clear.