It’s Show Time!

We know every buyer that sees your house is comparing it against the competition. Make a small investment in time, money and effort to give your home a solid advantage over competing properties. Pay attention to detail now because first impressions are critical. You have only one chance… and it starts with curb appeal.

Create A Buying Mood:

• Turn on lights.
• Turn on air conditioner/heater.
• Open the drapes.
• Light the fireplace.

Exterior Appearance: 

• Keep lawns cut.
• Trim hedges and shrubs.
• Weed and edge gardens.
• Clear driveway and clean up oil spills.
• Clean out garage.
• Touch up paint.
• Make repairs where needed.

Create Space:  

• Clear halls and stairs of clutter.
• Remove and pack away personal items of a family nature such as photographs. This will diminish the tendency of Buyers becoming voyeurs and keeps them on track for what they are there in the first place.
• Store surplus furniture.
• Clear kitchen counter and stovetop.
• Clear closets of unnecessary clothing.
• Remove empty boxes and containers.

Maintenance: 

• Repair leaking taps and toilets.
• Clean furnace and filters.
• Tighten doorknobs and latches.
• Repair cracked plaster.
• Touch up paint.
• Clean and repair windows.
• Repair seals around tubs and basins.
• Replace defective light bulbs.
• Oil squeaking doors.
• Repair squeaking floorboards.

Squeaky Clean:

• Clean and freshen bathrooms.
• Clean fridge and stove (in and out).
• Clean around heating vents.
• Clean washer and dryer.
• Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds.

At The Front Door:  

• Clean porch and foyer.
• Ensure doorbell works.
• Repair screen on door.
• Fresh paint or varnish front door.
• Repair door locks and key access.
• Place an inviting “Welcome” mat on the front porch.

Additionally, and above all else, the following simple and effective mood-enhancers can provide warm and pleasing feelings to your visitors.

Create the mood and message “You are welcome here.”  “You are safe and warm here.”  “You are happy here.”

The Front Entry: 

• Find a place to showcase an arrangement of fresh cut flowers.  Don’t spend a lot of money with this.  Go to your local supermarket or ask your favorite florist if they can provide you with their discarded flowers.
• Gift wrap 2 or 3 boxes and place them in a conspicuous place in the family room.

The Kitchen:

Give prospective buyers every possible reason to linger in this room. 

• Fresh cut flowers are a must in this room.
• Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the table or counter.  I like to stick to the Citrus variety and avoid the fruit that attracts fruit flies like bananas.
• Leave a plate of cookies on the counter with a note to enjoy.  You don’t have to be baking all the time.  Home made style cookies from the store are fine.
• Fragrances are very powerful mood enhancers.  Be careful not to over do it.  Cinnamon seems to be universally pleasing.  Also, a drop of vanilla extract heated in the oven works well too.
• Set the dining room table as if you are expecting guests.

The Bathrooms: 

• Attractive hand towels and interesting soaps can transform an ordinary bathroom.
• Fresh cut flowers work well here too.
• Again, fragrances can be very powerful.  Be careful not to over do it.