Let your home smile a welcome to buyers. With a little effort on your part, your home can be sold more quickly and at a better price. These 19 tips have proved invaluable to homeowners are worth your special attention.
PREPARING FOR THE SHOWING
1) The first impression is lasting. The front door greets the potential buyer. Make sure it is fresh and clean looking. Keep the lawn trimmed and edged and the yard free of refuse. During the winter months, be sure that the snow and ice is removed from walkways and front and rear steps.
2) Decorate your home for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduces the appearance of the home. Why try to tell the potential buyer how your home could look, when you can show him/her by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result.
3) Open all the window treatments (drapes, curtains and blinds) and let the sun shine in. This will let the potential buyer see how cheerful your home can be. By having dark room is not appealing to anyone.
4) Fix you faucet! Dripping water will discolor the sinks and suggest that there might be faulty plumbing.
5) Any repairs can make a big difference in the sale of a home. Loose doorknobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and any other minor flaws detract from home value. Have the mentioned items fixed!
6) From the top to bottom of your home. Display the full value of your attic, basement and any other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark dull unfinished basements by painting the walls. This will allow a clean appearance.
7) Safety First! Keep your stairways clear. Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
8) Make the closets look bigger. Neat, well organized closets show that the space is ample.
9) Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair the caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.
10) Arrange all of the bedrooms neatly. Remove any excess furniture. Use attractive and freshly laundered curtains.
11) Can you see the light? Illumination is like a welcome sign. The potential buyer will feel glowing warmth, when you turn on all your lights for an evening showing.
12) Avoid having too many people present during a viewing. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
13) But not when showing a house. Make sure to turn off the loud radio or television. Let your REALTOR® and buyer talk free of disturbances.
14) Keep all pets out of the way – preferably out of the house.
15) Silence is golden. Be courteous but do not force conversation with the potential buyer. He/she wants to view your home – not to pay a social visit.
16) Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let your REALTOR® answer any objections. This is the REALTOR® job.
17) The REALTOR® knows the buyer’s requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you do not tag along. You will be called if necessary.
18) Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishing to the potential buyer before he has even purchased the house often loses a sale.
19) Let your REALTOR® discuss price, terms, possession and any other factors with the customer. He/she is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.