Increasing your home’s appeal

Remember the 60-second rule: That’s all the time you have to create a winning first impression. Here are some simple and significant ways to maximize your home’s appeal.

Exterior

Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter
Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds
Apply fresh paint to wooden fences
Tighten and clean all door handles
Clean windows inside and out
Power wash your home’s exterior
Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning
Paint the front door
Buy a new welcome mat
Place potted flowers near the front door

Interior

Evaluate the furniture in each room and remove anything that interrupts “the flow” or makes the room appear smaller
Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site
Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves
Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans
Shampoo carpets
Remove excessive wall hangings and nick-knacks
Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps
Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking, drywall repairs)
Clean or paint walls and ceilings
Replace worn cabinet and door knobs
Fix or replace discolored grout
Replace broken tiles
Replace worn countertops

Special details for showings

Turn on all the lights
Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime
Keep pets secured outdoors
Buy new towels for bathrooms
Buy new bedding for bedrooms
Replace old lamps or lampshades
Play quiet background music
Light the fireplace or clean out the ashes
Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla
Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party
Vacate the property while it is being shown.

If you feel like these items aren’t enough and some real changes need to be made before listing, contact me for a renovation consultation. I can share the return on investment for certain upgrades/repairs to help inform your decision. My goal is to help you get the most out of your house sale. Sometimes spending a little to prepare it for sale can mean a bigger return once it hits the market. Together we can determine the best upgrades to perform, I can recommend contractors and make sure the jobs get done so we can get your house on the market!

Contact me about selling a property

I am always available to help out, get in touch with me any time, or shoot me an email.