Here are some tips for you to think about. In doing this, you will be ahead of most of the sellers already on the market in the way your home shows. Remember you have competition out there!
Inside:
q Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items.
q Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. The kitchen countertops should be as bare as possible. Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally movetheir own things into your kitchen.) A clean and neat kitchen can surely help to sell a home!
q In the bathroom, remove items from the countertops, tubs, shower stalls and commode tops. Keep only your most needed cosmetics, perfumes, etc. in one small group on the counter. Coordinate towels to one or two colorsonly. Make sure that carpets are not in the way of bathroom doors opening or closing.
q Be sure that the bathroom tubs, tile, sinks, shower floor & ceiling & toilet bowls are free of mildew and look sparkling clean!
q Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling, we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear as large as possible.
q Take down or rearrange certain pictures or objects on walls. Patch and paint as necessary.
q Review the house inside room by room, and:
q Paint any room needing paint (choose light neutral colors, soft ivory or off-whites- no gloss!)
q Clean carpets and vacuum drapes that need it.
q Clean windows and cobwebs from ceilings and chandeliers
q Make sure the closets and garage are not "too full". Unclutter them as much as possible. Consider renting a storage unit if necessary.
q Replace burned-out light bulbs and repair any faulty switches. It is amazing how "little things" can turn off a prospective buyer.
q Repairs and improvements that will facilitate a sale should be made. Cracked plaster, loose doorknobs and crooked light fixtures create a poor impression, but can be easily corrected.
q Make certain all rooms, are odor-free. Non-smokers are increasing in numbers, and nothing turns them off more than the smell of stale smoke. Pet-related odors are equally offensive and can dampen buyer enthusiasm. If there's a popular smell, lemon- scented polishes and waxes have captured the number one spot. Do not mix too many scents throughout the house, especially by lighting too many scented candles or using too many air fresheners. One candle is fine and one scent is fine as long as it is very, very soft.
Outside:
q Go around perimeter of the house and remove all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps,
extra building materials, etc., into the garage or trash.
q Check gutters and/or roof for leaks and/or dry rot. Make sure they are swept and clean.
q Look at all plants....prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows.
Remember: "YOU CAN'T SELL A HOUSE IF YOU CAN'T SEE IT."
q Weed and then mulch all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove any dead plants, shrubs. Consider planting some bright flowers along the pathway to the front door. Try
a brightly planted flower pot next to the front door if you do not have a walkway.
q Clear patios and decks of all small items, such as small planters, flowerpots, charcoal, barbecues, toys, etc.
q Check paint condition on the house, especially the front door and trim.
q Do shutters, shingles, stones or bricks need replacing?
q Check exterior stairs and handrails; walkways, screens and screen doors?
IMPROVING CURB APPEAL REALLY WORKS!
In general:
q Try to look at your house "THROUGH A BUYER’S EYES"as though you have never seen it before. Go to the street in front of your home and look at the house as a buyer would see it for the first time. Walk around the outside and inside. Make notes of all items that you are willing to spruce up, repair, or in some cases remove. Any time or money spent on these items will bring you back more money in return, and hopefully a faster sale. Once you
have made the repairs and changes, perform another walk around to be sure you have achieved the best look for your home!
***Check with your listing agent about Township/Borough Use & Occupancy Requirements
Century 21 Alliance 1100 West Chester Pike Havertown, Pa 19083
James Brady Realtor
Office: 610-853-2700 Ext: 416
