When preparing your
property to show, work your way from the outside in. It is essential that your home possess a
certain “drive-up appeal.” Remember, a
potential buyer’s first impression of your house is formed while s/he is still
sitting in the realtor’s car. So, first
you need to view your house from this perspective. Go stand on the opposite curb and observe
your property. Compare it to surrounding
properties. Concentrate on the following
three areas:
Landscaping:
How does your landscaping measure up compared to the rest of
the neighbourhood? If you guess it would
rate below-average, make a few adjustments.
You might want to consider buying some bushes and planting them around
the property. Do not buy trees,
however—mature trees are expensive, so you will not see a return on your
investment. And immature trees don’t
tend to significantly improve the immediate appearance of your home.
If the problem with your yard isn’t a case of too little
greenery, but rather too much, get out the pruning shears. The purpose of landscaping is to complement
the home, not hide it. Overgrown shrubs
should be sheared to a height near the bottom of the windows. Remove any ivy clinging to the side of the
house. Tree limbs should be high enough
that you’re able to walk beneath. Trim
any branches that bar the way.
Your lawn should be freshly cut and watered, and an even
colour. If there are brown spots, make
sure you begin to remedy this well in advance of putting the house on the
market. You may want to re-sod areas,
and you need to make sure these spots are given enough time to grow, so they
will match the existing lawn. Also, if
you decide to use fertilizer, you’ll want to allow enough time for it to take
effect. Rake up any leaves or grass
cuttings.
Planting a few flowers is an easy way to add colour and
vibrancy to your yard, enhancing the first impression of your home. Invest in a full flat of mature, colourful
flowers, such as petunias or periwinkles, which last the length of the growing
season. Do not buy bulbs or seeds—they
won’t necessarily grow enough by the time you begin showing to achieve the
desired effect. If you don’t have an
area in which to plant flowers, consider purchasing a few flower pots for your
porch and planting flowers or blooming plants.
If you have a pool, keep it sparkling and leaf-free.
House Exterior:
When you view your house from across the street, does it
appear weathered or faded? If so, it’s
probably time to treat it to a fresh coat of paint. This is usually a sound investment; new paint
can do wonders to increase a home’s perceived value.
Stay away from unusual or loud colours. The new colour should fit in with surrounding
houses, and complement the style and structure of your house.
Examine the roof closely.
Old or leaking roofs should be replaced.
If there are leaks, you’ll have to disclose this detail to the homebuyer
anyway, and they will want it replaced.
If there isn’t any apparent damage, however, wait for word from the home
inspector before making repairs.
The Front Door and
Porch:
The front door and surrounding area should look particularly
fresh and welcoming, as this will be the buyer’s first up-close impression as
they enter the house. If you paint
nothing else, at least give the door a new coat. Replace the doorbell if it is broken and
polish the door fixture until it gleams.
Wash the mail box. Keep the porch
swept and buy a new plush door mat. All
of these little things will contribute to the overall effect of a well
cared-for and welcoming home.
Ensure the lock works smoothly and the key fits
properly. When a home buyer visits your
house, the Realtor will open the front door with a key. You don’t want the buyers’ first experience
to be of waiting on the doorstep while the Realtor fumbles with the lock.
