First impressions create permanent opinions – so create a positive mood for all prospective purchasers.
Begin by sweeping the footpath in front of your property. Remove all rubbish from the gutters. Clear the letterbox of junk-mail. If you have a lawn, do your best to make sure it is not bone-dry. Green grass is appealing and a sprinkle does wonders to most lawns – a bit hard with water restrictions, I know!If you have a gate, make sure it doesn’t squeak. If your front fence needs repair, it might be better to demolish it. If the buyers see a potential expense, they either won’t buy or they will expect a reduction in your price.
Clean the paths and the outside of your property to remove dust and cobwebs (close your windows first). And clean the windows so that they sparkle: few things are as ugly as dirty windows.
Make sure there is no paint flaking. You may not have to repaint, but at least scrape off any loose paint pieces.
Flowers do wonders for the front of a property; and the brighter the better. They create a homely look. You can get flowers for any season. Daffodils, pansies, petunias – go to the local nursery and ask for advice.
Buy flowers in pots if you don’t have much lawn, and make sure they are displayed in two places: near the street and near your front door.
You want buyers to fall in love with your property, so give it that loved look. At the front door, have a thick door-mat with ‘welcome’ on it. It sound corny, but it feels good. It is friendly; it feels like home.
Make sure that the screen door is working. Have a door knocker or a bell with pleasant chimes. If you have a door bell, make sure it works. If people come to your home in the evening, have a welcoming light on.
When buyers arrive, you want them to think, “This looks nice.” By the time they reach your front door, you want them to think, “This feels nice. I like it!”
Neat, clean and friendly are the first steps to making your home attractive from the outside.
Create an appeal that says, “Welcome. Come inside”.
The Inside Atmosphere
When buyers enter your property they should immediately feel at home. The inside atmosphere should be warm and appealing. One agent described it by saying, “A home should look and feel happily lived-in”.
Make the atmosphere natural and relaxed, even if it means changing (or improving) your living habits. Buyers are aware of gimmicks such as a pot of coffee brewing, a cake in the oven or classical music playing softly in the background. False attempts to add appeal have the reverse affect.Genuine appeal is what wins the buyers. A radio or a TV – never too loud – is a natural part of home life. Well made beds with warm quilts and lots of pillows really make a property feel like home. Home truly is ‘where the heart is’ and anything that increases the emotional feeling of comfort is something we all love.
Odours
Nothing turns people off more than bad smells, so be sure your property smells fresh. You can buy plug-in fragrances that remove bad odours.
If you have pets, be careful, because their smell, while familiar to you, can be unpleasant to others. Take pets’ blankets and bowls outside. A dog that jumps up can be irritating and distracting, but not as bad as a savage dog that terrorises the buyers.
Wherever possible, remove your dog during inspections – take it for a walk. And always, be sure that there are no ‘doggie surprises’ for your buyers to step in while inspecting the garden.
Bright and Airy
Make sure the property is bright and airy by opening the curtains. Fresh air, if practicable, is always best.
If you have a fireplace and it is winter, an open log fire can be a big selling feature. at the very least, make sure the property is warm in winter and cool in summer.
Try to remove clutter so your property does not look smaller than it is. The time for a clean-up or a ‘garage sale’ is before you sell, not afterwards.
Most properties have some natural untidiness – a book beside the bed, a newspaper in the kitchen or slippers on the floor – this is acceptable an expected. What is not acceptable is dirt.
Make sure the bathrooms are clean to the point of sparkling. Fresh fluffy towels add a warm feeling as does the sound of a washing machine or the sight of clothes blowing in the breeze on the outside hoist. Atmosphere is everything.
The bathroom and kitchen is especially important to the woman, who is usually the major decision maker.
Minor Repairs
If there is any unfinished work inside the property – such as skirting boards that have been removed – fix these things. If there is any obvious minor repairs – such as door handles missing or broken hooks – fix these too. Repair all irritating things that are likely to catch the eyes of buyers.
Be very careful if you do any painting. Painting one dull room can suddenly make other unpainted rooms look dull too. Before you know it, you have a major painting job on your hands; this could lead to replacing the carpets, even the tiles in the bathroom. Suddenly you are involved in a very expensive renovation.
The cleanliness and the mood are most important but all expense needs careful consideration. Will you get your money back?
Ask your agent’s opinion.
The best advice is to do all you can to make your property feel like a home. Make it sparkly without making it too immaculate or clinical.
Some sellers create a show-home. In doing so, they create a cold sterile effect. Homes with warmth are the most attractive and appealing.
