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Preparing
Your South Bay Home to Sell
For homebuyers
searching the market, there are numerous choices out there
and endless competition for you....so what can you do to help
make your home stand out, get noticed, and get sold? Here
are a few tips to prepare your home to get shown and sold.
- First
Impressions Last - How your property appears from the
outside is important. To make a good first impression on
a buyer, a clean driveway, a freshly mown lawn or a trimmed
hedge will work wonders. Make sure your front door is fresh
and clean. Keep your lawn trimmed and free of refuse. Do
a critical inspection of the exterior of your property,
paying special attention to the condition of your windows,
shutters, screens and gutters. One of the first things a
buyer will notice is the need for painting. If your property
looks like it needs painting, many buyers will form an unfavorable
impression. Elsewhere, little things count. Make sure the
front door is spotless, including the doorknob, and that
the windows gleam.
- Cleanliness
Counts
- Once inside your property, one of the key factors that
influences its appeal to a buyer is cleanliness. Most important
is front hallway, the kitchen and the bathrooms. Do a
room-by-room cleaning, and don’t forget any out-of-sight
areas because that’s often where a
discriminating buyer will look first. The state of the carpets
can also be a determining
factor. At the very least, have your carpets cleaned, and
if they are worn, it’s wise to replace them, or remove
them if there is hardwood underneath.
- Less
is More - Clutter makes a poor impression. In closets,
cabinets, kitchen countertops and other storage areas like
basements, remove anything not needed for daily housekeeping.
To
make each room in your property look larger, get rid of
or donate unnecessary furniture.
Walk through your property and think: “Less is more.”
- Decorate
For A Quick Sale - Why tell a prospect how your home
could look when you can show him by redecorating? Little
Things Count. It’s easy to improve the appearance of
any room. You may want to replace worn rugs or small pillows,
put new towels in the bathroom or brighten up a room with
a vase of flowers.
- Let
The Sun Shine In - Open drapes and curtains to show
how cheery your home can be.
- Repairs
- Make sure everything is in good working order. Dripping
faucets, squeaky steps and loose doorknobs can easily create
a bad impression and reduce the value of your property.
A few
hours spent on repairs, whether by yourself or a tradesman,
can pay big dividends when an offer is made. Dripping water
discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing. Loose knobs,
sticking windows and other minor flaws detract from value.
- From
Top To Bottom - Display the full value of your attic
and utility space by removing clutter.
- Safety
First - Keep stairways and other traffic areas clear.
- Pull
Together - Get all the members of your household to
pull together when it comes to getting – and keeping
– your property ready to view. By getting everyone
into the habit of spending a few minutes tidying up every
morning for an afternoon showing, you improve your chances
considerably.
- Make
Closets Look Bigger - Neat, well-ordered closets show
that space is ample.
- Bathrooms
Help Sell Homes - Check and repair caulking. Make this
room sparkle.
- Arrange
Bedrooms Neatly - Remove excess furniture. Use attractive
bedspreads and curtains.
- Can
You See The Light? - The prospect will feel a glowing
warmth if you turn on all lights for an
evening inspection.
- Three’s
A Crowd - Avoid crowds during inspections. Crowds make
prospects feel like intruders.
- Pets
Underfoot - Keep them out of the way, out of the house.
- Be
It Ever So Humble - Never apologize for the appearance
of your home. Let the trained
salesman answer any objections.
- In
The Background - The Realtor knows the buyer’s
requirements and can emphasize the features of your home.
You will be called when needed.
- A
Word To The Wise - Let your Realtor discuss price and
other factors. He is qualified to bring
negotiations to a favorable conclusion.
- Use
Your Agent - Show your home only by appointment through
your agent. This will help close your sale more quickly.
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