The Pride of Ownership you’ve taken in your home is noticed from the moment someone drives up. The buyer will know if they like what they see within the first 8 seconds. If the outside of your home is a mess, then the buyer will naturally wonder how you’ve taken care of the inside. REMEMBER, YOU ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION.
The more inviting your home looks, the more qualified buyers you will attract. Start out by maintaining a well-manicured front yard. Focus on neatly trimmed bushes and free of weeds. All flowerbeds should appear well kept and attractive. Make sure that any shrubs and bushes are also trimmed. Examine the outside of the house and decide whether or not it can be spot-washed, power-washed, or if it needs a new coat of paint. Check that your windows and screens are free of cracks and tears and replace them if needed. Be sure that the windows are sparkling clean and remove any chipped paint.
Your front door and entrance way should be in immaculate condition. Consider a coat of fresh paint. It gives the home a flawless appearance. Make sure the entryway light and doorbell are in working condition. To increase “curb” appeal, you may also want to plant flowers around the sides of the home.
Thoroughly clean-up your home. Wash all the walls to make sure they look fresh and vibrant. If you have wallpaper, check for tears and loose pieces and repair as soon as possible. Shampoo the rugs, mop and/or wax the floors, and dust everything. Mop any hardwood floors and wax them until they shine. Don’t underestimate the impact a clean home can have. Next, remove all unnecessary clutter. This will help your buyer better visualize how they will redecorate your home to suit their taste. Oil all hinges and tighten all your doorknobs. This would be a good time to take care anything that squeaks.
Cleanliness of the kitchen and baths are extremely important to a home buyer. Make sure that all your bathrooms are spotless. People immediately notice their condition. Take care to ensure they remain fresh and clean. If necessary, replace any leaky faucets and re-caulk tiles. Clean your kitchen! Attack and remove any grease on the stove and walls. Oil and/or wipe down all the cabinet doors, and clean off the refrigerator. Run a lemon or orange through the garbage disposal to give your kitchen a clean and fresh smell. Try not to cook offensive smelling foods prior to any scheduled appointments. You have grown accustomed to the imperfections in your home and have been willing to live with them but prospective buyers notice everything and it will make a difference when finalizing their decision. By taking the time to make these small improvements, you automatically make your home more attractive to your buyer and in turn can improve your chances of getting a higher offer. If you find it financially difficult to paint, purchase new carpeting or update odds and ends, then you may want to consider offering your buyer an allowance for those things. Buyers sometimes like to decide what color of carpeting to install or what color paint to choose.
For more information on how you can become a successful For Sale By Owner seller visit our website at FSBOHomeMarketplace.com or call (888) 445-2850 today.
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