A Dozen Ways To
Make Your Home Show Better
By Peter G. Miller
We all have had the experience of someone important
coming to the house, and whether the visitor is
an in-law, old friend, or business associate you
know the drill: Have the house in "show"
condition.
For home sellers the situation is much the same:
First impressions count and while you may not
be able to tell a book by its cover, you'll likely
pay more for a book if the cover is inviting,
alluring and attractive.
If your home is for sale or soon to be for sale,
in addition to a general cleaning there are 10
steps you can take to benefit from that all-important
first look:
- Start with the outside. Mow the law, prune
bushes, remove dead branches and get rid of
outdoor furniture you don't intend to move.
- Paint the front door and lintels, or at least
clean them up.
- Check for leaks. A drip may not seem important,
but does it suggest poor maintenance in places
which can't be seen? Eliminate buyer worries
and fix the little items which may be seen as
clues relating to the general condition of the
home.
- Clean out closets and storage areas. Donate
old clothes and furniture to local charities.
This will create a sense of greater space --
and mean less to move.
- Have a professional service clean carpets.
This is especially important if the carpets
are to stay.
- Caulk around tubs and sinks. New caulk invariably
looks better than old caulk, and you'll also
prevent leaks.
- Replace bulbs that don't work and use as much
wattage as is appropriate for each fixture.
Bright lights make homes seem, well, light and
airy.
- Have a lot of books and magazines that you
don't want? See if you can donate to a local
library, hospital or charity. You'll get both
more space and a write-off.
- Is there anything in the house that will surprise
visitors? As an example, mirrors in poorly-lit
basements can be dangerous. Look at the property
from the perspective of a first-time visitor.
Things which are known to you may be uncomfortable
to visitors.
- Clean out medicine cabinets. Remove out-of-date
items. Also, if you have prescription medicines,
consider removing them when buyers visit.
- People have both allergies and concerns when
it comes to animals. If you have a pet, make
arrangements to have it elsewhere when a home
is being shown.
- Homes in a given location and price range
battle for a common pool of buyers. Ask your
broker to examine the property for specific
showing tips to make your home more competitive.
The Realty Times
Published: October 18, 2001
www.RealtyTimes.com
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