| Giving
Your Home the On-The-Market Makeover |
| |
| You work with a GOODWIN REALTY AGENT because he or
she is best able to sell your home quickly and profitably. But remember,
your relationship with your REALTOR® is a partnership. While
he or she markets your property and screens potential buyers, it's
up to you to give your home a simple, inexpensive sprucing up that
can go a long way toward a speedy sale. |
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| Before
the Showing Begins |
|
|
Hint: First Impressions
are Lasting Impressions
The exterior of your home often determines how buyers will view
the interior, so:
- Make sure your front entrance is clean and inviting
- Paint or replace your front door if it's faded or worn
- Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside features
showing signs of wear
Hint: Beauty is More than
Skin Deep |
| Buyers often see the surface condition of your home
as a sign of what's underneath, so: |
- Keep windows and floors clean
- Replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come
away from the wall
- Repair worn woodwork
- Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color
- Steam clean carpeting or replace, if necessary
- Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet
drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws
- Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers
|
| Hint: Accentuate
the Positive |
| |
| Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and
arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including: |
- Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during the
showing
- Remove all unnecessary clutter from your attic and closets
to better display spacious rooms (consider storage or a garage
sale to dispose of extraneous items)
- Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture.
- Keep fresh, clean towels in the bathroom
- Use candles or air fresheners to make rooms smell pleasant
|
| Hint: Put Your
Home in the Best Light |
| |
| Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime
showings, can create a cozy mood and highlight positive attributes
of each room, so: |
- Avoid the use of overhead lighting that makes rooms look washed
out and lifeless
- Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger,
and large rooms seems more intimate
- Use lighting to highlight the “living areas” of
your home, such as a pair of chairs near a fireplace, or a table
in a breakfast area
|
| |
| After
The Showing Begins |
| |
| Hint: Leave the
Selling to the Professional |
| |
| Buyers often feel uncomfortable in the presence of
a homeowner, so: |
- Try not to be present during inspections
- If you are home, never apologize for the appearance of your
house. Only your GOODWIN REALTY AGENT should discuss any objections
and subjects like price, terms, possession and other factors
with the buyers
|
| Hint: Keep the
Disturbances Down |
| |
| Potential homebuyers have a lot to take in, so minimize
distractions. |
- Pipe in classical, jazz or soft rock music, but keep the volume
low
- If possible, turn off the ringer on your phone during showings
- Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the
way - preferably out of the house
|
| Hint: Create
a Homey Atmosphere |
| |
| A buyer tries to picture themselves and their family
living in your home, so: |
- Create a pleasant aroma by baking cookies or bread, or placing
cornmeal in a pie plate in a warm oven on the day of the showing
- Keep the heat or air conditioning at comfortable levels
- If you have a fireplace, light it during wintertime showings
|
| Hint: Have Records
Available |
| |
| Even if a buyer doesn't study them, having records
available can make it clear you are conscientious and have nothing
to hide. |
- Have copies of your gas, electric and water bills from the
last 12 months available
- Be ready to show all home improvement and repair bills
|
1.
Put the spotlight on the strengths and potentials of your home
2. Create the right mood and atmosphere given the room's funchon,
color scheme, etc.
3. Accent the positive aspects and unique features of each area
of your home.
4. Define the space
5. Bring the room to life |
