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As a
homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your
property.
The easiest and most reliable way to
improve the appeal of your home is to enlist a quality home service
professional. The right professional can help you get everything in
order - from repainting the kitchen to providing a thorough cleaning
- so you can stay focused on more important things.
- A well-manicured lawn, neatly
trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does
a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If
it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s winter, shovel the walkways.
The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your
home, the better.
Here’s your chance to clean up in real
estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If
your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some
minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper adds charm and value to your
property. If you’re worried about time, hire professional cleaners
or painters to get your house ready. Remember, prospects would
rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it
could look "with a little work."
Dripping water rattles the nerves,
discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned
out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark. Don’t let
little problems detract from what’s right with your home.
If cabinets or closet doors stick in your
home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s mind.
Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily
plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way
toward a closing.
Homeowners learn to live with all kinds
of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned
extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead
lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for
uninitiated visitors.
Remember, potential buyers are looking
for more than just comfortable living space. They’re looking for
storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean
and free of unnecessary items.
The better organized a closet, the larger
it appears. Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes and
donate them to charity.
Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine.
Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and
showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and
shower curtains.
Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of
your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture.
Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
Let the sun shine in! Pull back your
curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery
your home is.
Turn on the excitement by turning on all
your lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in
the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel
welcome.
Potential buyers often feel like
intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than
giving your house the attention it deserves, they're likely to
hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.
Dogs and cats are great companions, but
not when you're showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting
underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside,
or at least out of the way.
Rock-and-roll will never die. But it
might kill a real estate transaction. When it's time to show your
home, it's time to turn down the stereo or TV.
Be friendly, but don't try to force
conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of
distraction.
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