Make First Impressions Count

The front of your home is the first thing a potential buyer sees.  Your lawn should be mowed, sidewalks swept, debris picked up, and chipping paint should be touched up. Clean out rain gutters and repair any poorly secured or disconnected gutters. Put away items in the yard such as bikes and gardening tools. If your yard is fenced, make sure all the boards are in place and the wood is in good condition.

Let the Light In

Keep curtains open to allow maximum sunlight to shine in and replace any light bulbs that have burned out. Light and bright equals space in the buyer’s eyes.

Clear Out the Clutter

Allowing plenty of floor, wall, and counter space to show will make your home look and feel larger. It also allows buyers to focus on the room and not the stuff in the room. Consider renting a storage unit to stow any unnecessary furniture and items that may be crowding a room. This includes the garage! At this time, consider getting rid of items you don’t plan to move. Remove small appliances from kitchen counters. Clear out closets and cupboards so they look well-ordered and spacious. You want to give prospects the feeling of plenty of space.

Wipe the Slate Clean

Nobody likes a dirty house, especially if it’s not their dirt! Vacuum, dust, and scrub your house from top to bottom. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom. Appliances should sparkle and bathtubs and sinks should shine. Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate and eliminate odors.

Don’t Be A Drip

Fix leaky faucets and toilets that run. A slight drip could be misconstrued as faulty plumbing and major repair bills. Also make sure drains are clean and free flowing.

Pay Attention to Details

Perhaps you’ve learned to ignore the squeaky hinge on the bathroom door or figured out how to coax the temperamental bedroom window to open. To you, these may seem minor but they should be fixed. Also repair loose doorknobs, cabinet handles, drawers that stick, and anything that could be seen as neglect.

Keep it Neutral

Try to keep the décor neutral. It should be easy for potential buyers to visualize their belongings in your home. Unfortunately, the average buyer won’t be able to look beyond the fluorescent orange paint you’ve chosen for the bedroom walls. A fresh coat of a light or neutral paint color can make a world of difference. Try to keep artwork, trophies, and family photos to a minimum.

Put Yourself in the Buyer’s Shoes

Congratulations, you’re well on your way to making a good first impression. Now it’s time to look at your home objectively. You might want to recruit a friend for this part. Try driving past your house as if you were a potential buyer. What is YOUR first impression? Do the same upon entering your home.