Property
4 Ways to Make a Great First
Impression When Selling Your Home
When selling your home, first impressions matter. Just because your home is listed and the “For Sale” sign is
firmly planted in the front of the gate does not mean it will attract buyers.
A
home needs to be visually appealing to encourage a sale. Even in
a market where homes are selling quickly and at full asking prices, it is
still crucial to spruce up your home and
prove that it is worth every penny you are
asking for it.
Here are four tips to help your home
make a good first impression that beckons potential buyers:
1. Make an Enticing Exterior
The walk-up to your house should be inviting, not forbidding. Stay on top of your
lawn mowing and driveway maintenance,
and tidy up your front landscaping. This
includes:
•
Moving all toys, bicycles and
scooters away from the front of the
house
•
Cleaning windows until they are
sparkling
•
Making sure address numbers are
in place and polished
•
Giving your front door, garage
door and gutters a fresh coat of
paint
•
Adding a few embellishments like
a colorful welcome mat, a wreath
for the door or a big potted plant to
the side of your front door
•
Checking the roof to see if it needs
repair, even if it’s cosmetic.
2. Shape Up the Interior
Once the exterior wows potential buyers,
you can continue to make a great impression as they make their way inside.
For starters, clear any clutter. If you have
too much furniture, put some of it in storage. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops as clear as possible. Closets and
shelves should be well-organized and
give the impression that they are spacious.
Remove excess knickknacks or family
photos that make the house feel like your
home, instead of allowing potential buyers to picture themselves as the residents.
Clean the inside of your home from top to
bottom. Dust and open all your blinds and
curtains to let light in. Wash away smudges from walls and touch up the paint as
necessary. Wipe down the inside and outside of your appliances and microwave.
Remove ash from your fireplace. Get your
carpets cleaned and vacuum your floor
each morning before potential buyers
view your house.
Addressing aesthetics can leave a lasting, favorable impression. So, hang fresh,
clean towels in the bathrooms. Position a
beautiful centerpiece in the center of your
dining room table and a few potted plants
in decorative containers throughout your
home. Consider placing potpourri in key
spots, especially if you need to eliminate
pet odors or if you have a smoker in the
house.
3. Check on Evening Appearance
Even if you’re positive your home is presentable during the day, double-back to
the exterior and interior areas at dusk
to gauge your home’s ambiance in the
evening.
Ensure that the walkway is well-lit and
house numbers are visible, and that
outdoor lighting enhances the home’s appearance.
Inside, make sure to replace nonfunctioning light bulbs in fixtures and vanities,
and leave key decorative or track lighting
turned on so that the home doesn’t seem
dark upon entering.
4. Make Necessary Repairs
Repair anything tha \