Whether you are selling a house, townhouse, condo or apartment, there
are universal tips that will help it sell. Primary among those tips are
making sure your home “shows well.”
First impressions of a home go a long way to determining how quickly it
will sell. Here are a few suggestions that will make your home show
well.
1. Be sure the approach to your home is clean, tidy and well groomed.
Any brass should be polished, paint on the door should be in good
condition and the door should be washed clean of fingerprints and paw
marks.
2. If your home is a single family house, be sure the grass is cut, leaves raked, plant beds mulched and weeded, etc.
3. If your home is in a multi-family building, be sure the approach and hall to your home is clean even if it is not your job!
4. Be sure your home is tidy and uncluttered. This includes closets,
cabinets, garages, and other storage areas. When "stuffed," no amount
of storage "shows" as adequate. When really messy, no room looks
charming.
5. Make any repairs that are noticeably needed. Door handles and locks
should fit well and firmly. Exterior doors should shut and lock
solidly. Drains and downspouts should be firmly attached and clear of
debris so water flows freely. Attached light fixtures should be firmly
attached. All switches should turn on whatever they were designed to
turn on -- light, fan, disposal, etc.
6. Conventional wisdom dictates your home should be "neutralized." You
can’t really go wrong following this advice. You know the drill --
beige or soft gray carpet, beige, gray, or taupe walls, white or
off-white woodwork and ceilings. Sometimes a very soft gold or a soft
sage green can also "read" as neutral.
7. If you have a sure sense of decorating (you probably do if family
and friends frequently ask your advice and you enjoy making decorating
decisions), and especially if you plan to leave color coordinated
window treatments, you might leave more definite colors in place
understanding that a potential buyer with no imagination might be put
off by them and not think to request a "redecorating allowance" in a
contract offer. Still, beautiful decorating which is not neutral
undeniably attracts some buyers.
8. If your carpet is in poor condition, but you cannot afford to
replace it, get several neutral samples in a mid-price range from a
local carpet store, spread them on the floor, and add a note stating
that you will be glad to provide a carpet allowance from the proceeds
of settlement.
9. Dark homes show badly. Make sure lamps are on and lampshades are
straight with the seams toward a wall. Make sure there is as much
natural light as possible; have curtains, shades and blinds open.
Buyers are looking for a home they can see themselves living in. Follow
the above tips and you will position your home to sell quickly.
