Andrew And Associates

Showing Your Home
for Maximum Impact and Value

There is an old saying, “You Never Have A Second Chance to Make a First Impression”. This is absolutely true when selling your home. Research shows that buyers take approximately one minute to make a buying decision after entering your home. Then, they confirm their decision in the next five to twenty minutes as they tour your home. Therefore, the first impression you make should be a lasting and positive one if you want maximum value for your home.

It is very important to look at your home through the eyes of the buyer. You won’t sell your house quickly or at maximum value if you continue to live your normal life while showing it.  Potential buyers don’t want to see drippy faucets, toys scattered on the floor, dinner dishes in the sink, cluttered closets, your personal photos, or muddy shoes on the front porch. Buyers tend to judge homes by cost and “move-in” condition.  The less they have to do to move in, the better your chance for a sale…and the more they may be willing to pay.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare your home for maximum impact to potential buyers:

Curb Appeal

The first thing a buyer sees is the outside of your home. This is referred to as curb appeal. How does it look? Is the yard mowed and the trees and shrubs trimmed? Are there tools, toys, bicycles, garbage cans and water hoses in the yard? Many people would be absolutely astounded to know how many buyers won’t even look at the inside of their home because of the mess in the front yard… but it’s true.

Go stand in front of your home. Take a careful look at it. Ask yourself, what does the buyer see? Use the following suggestion for improving your curb appeal:

• Clear away any debris or clutter from the front door (inside and outside) to make the entry to your home seem more spacious and allow freedom of movement for more than one person.
• Mow the grass. Rake the leaves. Trim the trees and shrubs.
• Remove any dead plants, flowers or shrubs.
  When possible, plant a few colorful flowers or shrubs. Put new pine bark or mulch around your flowers and shrubs. Remove the weeds.
• Pick up everything in the front yard and neatly put it away. You want the yard to appear uncluttered, well kept and inviting.
• Look at the roof. Is there a shingle missing? Are the gutters, windows and shutters straight? Fix any problems you notice.
• Is there any paint peeling? If so, touch it up.
• Don’t forget to de-clutter in the back yard. Make sure the patios and decks are cleared of flowers, plants, etc. You want them to appear as large and open as possible. This allows the buyers visualize how he/she would enjoy the area.

Inside Your Home

It is very important to maximize the size of your home. Buyers love homes that seem roomy. They tend to visualize more ways to use the space. Keep the following three points in mind as you prepare the inside of your home for showing.

First, you are going to move. Pack up as many items as possible and store them elsewhere. Thoroughly clean the home. Clutter is the number one problem in showing a home.

Second, take down all personal items, pictures, stuffed animals, etc. These personal items are very valuable to you as the owner, but they will be a distraction in the eyes of the buyer. You want the buyer to visualize what he/she will do with the area, not what you have done.

Third, remove all pets from the home. Buyers do not want pets in the home as they tour. It will decrease the time buyers spend in your home.  That’s not good. Buyers do not tend to visit a home the second time if there are pets. To eliminate all pet odors, it would be wise to contact a professional carpet cleaner before showing your home.

You want the buyer to have the impression the home is ready to move into right now, with little or no additional work. The less a buyer thinks he/she has to do, the better.

Keep in mind that the woman has a great influence on the buying decision. The kitchen is the most important room in your home. Here are a few suggestions to review as you prepare to show the kitchen:

• If necessary, professionally clean the oven and stove. If the rings around a gas burner appear black or scorched, replace them. They are very inexpensive and will make your stove look like new.
• Clean all appliances inside and out. Fix or replace anything that does not work properly.
• Wax and polish the floors. Clean any carpet areas.
• Clear all the messages, pictures, magnets, etc. from the front and top of the refrigerator.
• Clear the counter tops of appliances, plants, magazines, etc. Make it look as roomy as possible. Give the buyer the chance to visualize how she would organize the kitchen.

The second most important room in your house is the master bedroom. Here are a few suggestions:

• Remove as many furniture items as possible from the room. The furniture items that are left should make it easy for the buyer to see defined areas such as sleeping, sitting, dressing, etc.
• Clear the floors of all clutter.  Clean the carpet or polish the floor.
• Hang up all clothes. If your closets are cluttered, pack up as many items as possible and store them. Make the closets appear as large as possible.
• Clear all items from the top of the dresser and side tables.
• Use your very best linens and bed spread on your master bed. Make sure it looks clean and neat. Use colored throw pillows to enhance the appearance.

Here are a few additional suggestions for preparing the rest of your home for your buyers.

• Turn on all lights in the home in the evening to welcome potential buyers.

• Open windows daily for a few minutes to eliminate stale air, cooking odors, mildew and moisture from hot showers and laundry.

• Polish the front door knob and banister knobs. Clean the storm door and sweep the front steps and porch.

• In areas that need painting, keep colors neutral and light - white, beige and gray are the most popular exterior colors, while shades of white, off white and very light pastels are the safest choices for the interior.

• If the baseboards around the wall are scuffed, paint them. When the baseboards appear clean and well kept, it gives the impression that the remainder of the home has been well maintained.

• Place a vase of fresh flowers in a bathroom and place all personal care articles out of sight. Pack up and store items you’re not using.

• Organize cabinets and closets to demonstrate how much room you have.

• Open dark drapes and blinds to lighten and brighten rooms.

• Remove all unnecessary items from sinks, tubs, showers, commodes, cabinets, window ledges, tables, furniture, etc.

• Make each bathroom look like a guest bathroom. Color coordinate your bathrooms with only one or two colors. Fold and hang towels neatly.

• As needed, fix leaky faucets, caulking, tile, nail holes, rust stains, heating, cooling, and plumbing fixtures. Clean your water heater and change your heating/cooling filter.

• Fill the house with pleasant aromas such as cinnamon, fresh scent or baked cookies.

Finally, there are a couple of additional items to keep in mind. Remove all valuables from your home and store them. Keep cash, credit cards and other valuables stored out of site.

Ideally, you should leave the home when it is being shown. If you can’t leave, go to one room of the home and stay there. DO NOT walk with the buyers from room to room. Buyers want the freedom to talk about your home without the risk of offending you. Your real estate agent is your trusted representative with the buyers. Let him or her do their job.

Although this may appear as a daunting task, remember… these suggestions will increase the amount of money you will get for your home and will reduce the time it is on the market.

It would be a good idea to have a professional real estate agent and/or staging expert tour your home.  He/she can help you see your home through a buyer’s eyes and suggest specific simple ways to arrange each room for maximum impact and value. Remember, you only have one chance to make a good first impression.

Do you have questions or need advice you can count on or just want to discuss this further?

Don’t waste any more time; pick up the phone and call me now!  I’m here to help!

I offer a five star guarantee. I appreciate your business, loyalty, trust and referrals. My goal is to provide the very best counsel and advice to meet your real estate needs. If I can assist you, a relative, friend or co-worker, please give me a call. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

For prompt, courteous, professional service, call Larry Andrew: