FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

You don't get a second chance to make a first impression – that old adage is very true when selling your home. Take a look at your home through the eyes of your prospective buyer. Someone wanting to buy a home is looking for something in 'show home' condition – not looking lived-in or tired. And if you doubt me, take a look at the many home staging TV shows that are so popular! Attention to detail can add thousands to the amount that you make on your sale. A home in good condition says that the owners care – if the visible details have been attended to, it implies the things you can't see are in good condition as well.
 

Your house can never be too clean

– remove marks from walls, especially around light switches. Make sure that the appliances gleam. Dust any light fixtures, including chandeliers and ceiling fans. Dust baseboards. Get those cobwebs out of the corners of the ceiling. And even though you're not selling the furniture with the house, dust and vacuum it where needed.
 

Make any minor repairs.

Do you have a tap that drips or a toilet that runs? Now's the time to deal with it! Does the paint need a touch up? Do light bulbs need replacing? Get it done. Fresh coats of paint and repairing minor faults make a world of difference. Don’t give potential buyers a reason to give a lower offer. And watch where the eye goes. If the eye is drawn to a chipped or cracked wall, fix it!
 

Declutter.

Buyers like to see themselves in your home, so remove personal items and declutter all rooms - including closets and basements. It also makes the rooms feel larger and more accommodating. For a quick cleanup, label one box for each room and store at least two-thirds of your 'treasures' in it. These boxes can be kept in the garage until the house has sold. Tidy your cupboards, closets and pantries. Buyers will open all doors to determine how much space there is in the house for their possessions. Maybe this is a good time for a garage sale?
 

Take care of the outside,

If it's summer, make sure the grass is mowed, the shrubs are pruned and the flower beds weeded. Hose down the siding and clean the windows. Clean off any cobwebs from the trim. Do the window frames need a touch up? How about the fence? Are there toys scattered all over the lawn? Arrange deck furniture in an inviting manner. And if it's winter, make sure the sidewalks have been shoveled (including those to the garage) and that all outside lights are in working condition. Ensure the house numbers are legible, the front door is clean of marks and fingerprints, and the mailbox is in good repair.
 

Now it's SHOWTIME!

Your agent has called and said that someone will be coming by to view your home. Or perhaps an open house has been arranged. How do you get ready? First, take a quick tour of the house. Is everything tidied up and put away? Sinks and mirrors polished and shining? Toilet seats down? All the lights on, regardless of the time of the showing? In the winter, make sure that the front outside light is on - it will help the agent showing the home. A trip through the house for your prospective buyer should appeal to the senses. It should smell fresh and clean - some sliced up apple and cinnamon in the oven on a low temperature will give the impression of pie baking - or perhaps just the smell of lemon furniture polish will impress your guests. As to sounds, put on some mellow background music (the less vocals, the better), or one of the many digital cable stations that some cable providers offer – but keep the volume down. Fresh flowers on a hall table or dining table give your house that show home appearance. If the view out your bedroom window is less than appealing (and there's nothing you can do to fix it because it's your neighbour's yard!), partially close the blinds or drapes.

Good luck!