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The best price to
sell your home is always determined by
how you compare against your
competition, the house down the street.
If your property looks better than the
next guy’s the customer will buy
yours.
It all comes down
to image, making sure it shows at its
best. This is accomplished with minor
repairs, some decorating and a lot of
elbow grease. It’s no different than a
used car dealer shining up the cars
inside and out. You systematically go
through your home, inside and out, room
by room, and make it look great.
Outside
Paint it, wash it, mow it and clip
it. First impressions are lasting, and
you don’t get a second chance to make
a good first impression. Look at your
home from the street. If you can’t see
it through the trees, trim bushes so
windows are completely exposed. Make
sure your approach to the house is clear
of overhanging foliage. Wash the
windows. If you have a blacktop
driveway, put a fresh coat of sealer on
it. Dress up flowerbeds with new shrub
or flowers and repair any damaged
fencing.
Inside
Arrange furniture in to give the
most visual appeal to the room.
This may not be the most functional, but
at this point we don’t care about
function. Clean up the rooms of any
clutter, toys, excess furniture, books
or anything that gets thrown around.
You’d be amazed at how many sellers
don’t do this. Don’t forget clean,
clean, clean.
The less in a
closet the larger they look. If the
master bedroom is short on closet space,
you should consider adding a closet
organizer.
If wallpaper is out
dated or paint is old and chipped, put
on a fresh coat especially in the
kitchen and bathrooms. Kitchen
counters should be clear with just the
basic items you need. Make sure faucets
shine and don’t leek. Toilets should
flush properly and not keep running.
Tile or tub liners are in good shape and
clean. Repair or replace chipped sinks
or tubs. And again keep them neat and
free of clutter..
Basements and
Attics: Should be neat and
orderly. The furnace and hot water
heater should be dusted and accessible.
Cracks in the walls that have been
patched and don’t leek should be
painted.
It doesn’t cost
too much to stage the home as well.
Pictures, mirrors, pillows and plants
can transform a room. You can even
rent furniture if you’ve already moved
out.
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