Preparing Your Property
An Exit Martin associate will be working with you to assure every aspect of your property is as appealing as possible. Here are tips to take into account when preparing your home for sale and for assuring it sells.
The Outside
The front yard gives the agent and buyer the first impression of your property. Make certain all toys and tools are put away and hoses should be put up properly. The lawn should be mowed, walks trimmed, hedges shaped (cut below any windows), trees pruned. Window screens and screen doors should be in place and serviceable.
The home facade should be clean and neat including the window coverings appearing correct from the outside. Windows should be spotless as should the window frames and screens. Porch lights should be working and rain gutters should be cleared. The roof should not have any missing shingles or tiles. The house number should be clear and visible. Remove rooftop antennae and other unnecessary items in the yard or house.
Remove clutter and keep the garage door closed. If the garage is littered with storage and junk, move those items to a storage unit. Garages need to appear big and roomy. Also, store these items elsewhere: motor homes, boats, trailers and extra cars which visually shrink the size of a yard and home.
A front door is very important. It is the entrance to what the buyer is hoping will be the "dream home" as soon as it is opened. You should make sure that the front door itself, the place mat and any potted plants, all lend an inviting feeling to the agent and buyer.
The Inside
A great entry makes a big first impression. Make sure it is tidy.
Remove clutter before showing your home. An important part of the price is based on the size, or square footage, of the house. Do everything you can to improve the visual apparent size of your home. Go through the house, and if necessary, put things in storage in order to give your home a feeling of spaciousness.
Floors should be kept clean and in good condition. Carpeting, walls and electrical and switch face plates should be cleaned and repaired.
Windows, window frames and screens should look clean from the inside as well as from the outside.
Maintain clean rooms including the kitchen and kitchen counters and sinks. The bathroom should smell fresh. Put the toilet seat down. Pay attention to details such as a shower curtain or light fixture.
Get rid of the items that make a home appear outdated that are not too expensive too change or replace. It is wise to explore the options and if nothing else, at least be able to share with a buyer what it would cost to change a particular item.
Remove distracting and offensive items such as political signs and posters, rock music signs and posters, religious items, photos of models, etc. You want buyers to focus on your house.
Make sure your home smells nice. Pets, smoking, cooking and mildew can cause odors in a home. Steam clean your carpets and upholstered furniture. Disinfect the floors. Clean ash trays and change the litter box often. Create pleasant scents by baking cookies or bread prior to a showing or by running a lemon through the garbage disposal.
The Outside
The front yard gives the agent and buyer the first impression of your property. Make certain all toys and tools are put away and hoses should be put up properly. The lawn should be mowed, walks trimmed, hedges shaped (cut below any windows), trees pruned. Window screens and screen doors should be in place and serviceable.
The home facade should be clean and neat including the window coverings appearing correct from the outside. Windows should be spotless as should the window frames and screens. Porch lights should be working and rain gutters should be cleared. The roof should not have any missing shingles or tiles. The house number should be clear and visible. Remove rooftop antennae and other unnecessary items in the yard or house.
Remove clutter and keep the garage door closed. If the garage is littered with storage and junk, move those items to a storage unit. Garages need to appear big and roomy. Also, store these items elsewhere: motor homes, boats, trailers and extra cars which visually shrink the size of a yard and home.
A front door is very important. It is the entrance to what the buyer is hoping will be the "dream home" as soon as it is opened. You should make sure that the front door itself, the place mat and any potted plants, all lend an inviting feeling to the agent and buyer.
The Inside
A great entry makes a big first impression. Make sure it is tidy.
Remove clutter before showing your home. An important part of the price is based on the size, or square footage, of the house. Do everything you can to improve the visual apparent size of your home. Go through the house, and if necessary, put things in storage in order to give your home a feeling of spaciousness.
Floors should be kept clean and in good condition. Carpeting, walls and electrical and switch face plates should be cleaned and repaired.
Windows, window frames and screens should look clean from the inside as well as from the outside.
Maintain clean rooms including the kitchen and kitchen counters and sinks. The bathroom should smell fresh. Put the toilet seat down. Pay attention to details such as a shower curtain or light fixture.
Remove distracting and offensive items such as political signs and posters, rock music signs and posters, religious items, photos of models, etc. You want buyers to focus on your house.
Make sure your home smells nice. Pets, smoking, cooking and mildew can cause odors in a home. Steam clean your carpets and upholstered furniture. Disinfect the floors. Clean ash trays and change the litter box often. Create pleasant scents by baking cookies or bread prior to a showing or by running a lemon through the garbage disposal.