Here are some easy, inexpensive fixes that will help create that outside appeal and get you one, giant step further to a sale. Remember, you only have ONE chance to make a FIRST IMPRESSION!
1. Paint or stain the front and garage doors, especially if they show any weathering. These are the first visuals where a potential buyer focuses. If garage doors are metal and dented, they may need to be replaced.
2. Any old, basically abandoned sheds or small structures, must be removed, the area graded and the grass replaced.
3. Change any dated, outside light fixtures.
4. Fix that driveway. If it is blacktop, make sure cracks and crumbling areas are dug out and filled and then the whole driveway sealed. If it is cement, have large cracks filled and repaired professionally. The buyer must at least feel they can drive the moving truck in confidently!
5. Make sure landscaping bricks or any edging are in their proper placement. Mowing and edging sometimes moves them and this is something the homeowner rarely notices, but it makes the property look unkempt.
6. Fill in bare dirt under large shade trees or fill in with mulch. Plant shade-tolerant plants in defined planters or plant a groundcover. The proper landscaping for an area like that is crucial.
7. All landscaping beds should be cleaned out and updated for the time of year it is in your region. Put fresh bedding material down.
8. Have trees and bushes pruned and trimmed. If a bush or tree is looking old or about to expire, remove it and replace it with a similar size and type if you can. If there are tree limb(s) over the roof, have them removed.
9. If the house needs painting and a full paint job is not feasible, have it touched up professionally in the worst, most visible spots. Paint shutters and fix them if they are hanging crooked. At least this may help get your client in the front door.
10. If the house is sided, have it power-washed and have gutters and windows cleaned. Window cleaning inside and out makes the house feel updated and fresh, rather than old and dingy. Wood fences really benefit from a periodic power washing too.
11. Make sure grass is in good shape, weeds are removed, trimming done regularly. So many sellers fall down on this job the minute the house is listed, and this is critical to selling a house quickly.
12. Keep garbage and recycle containers inside the garage, along with all toys and equipment. Make sure the garage is neat and organized. Painted walls and floors also go a long way in this area and are inexpensive to do.
13. Decks should be washed and repainted or re-sealed; plantings around them cleaned, weed-free and looking good. Patio furniture should be in excellent condition. Even though it is in the backyard, this is the area where the family can envision enjoying the warm days and the new yard.
14. If the roof has missing shingles and they can be replaced inexpensively, I suggest this be done as it may save negotiation over a completely new roof. Roof repair needs and costs should be minor or the homeowner might as well replace the entire roof.
15. If the homeowner wants to do a bit more, suggest solar lights lining the driveway or installing a more attractive front door with lead glass inserts and replacing plain doorknobs with something more custom.
16. If you have an evening showing, make sure lights are on outside and inside the house. This is warm and inviting.
17. If it’s a holiday season, by all means decorate the home! Just like sugar cookies or vanilla scent on the inside of the house, this really says “it’s a home” and I can see myself enjoying life here! In the least, always have some greenery or flowers for the season on the front step or porch; even a birdbath with a little garden around it says home.
18. DE-CLUTTER EVERYWHERE! EVERYTHING SHOULD BE SPOTLESSLY CLEAN AND SMELL FRESH. DO NOT LIGHT CANDLES BUT RATHER USE DEFUSSERS OR SCENTED PLUG-INS.
19. If you do move out before the home sells, don’t turn off the electricity. Keep the thermostats at a “reasonable” temperature. Make sure all light bulbs work.
Remember, most home buyers cannot visualize even these simple changes and clean ups in a house and the ones who can, will be looking for a reduced price. So to sell the house at top dollar and quickly, make it “appeal” to the many who will be seeing it rather than the few who are looking for a “fixer upper.” These people know what they want, go after it and need less assistance.
Finally, have neighbors or friends look at the finished results to see if I or the home owner has missed anything key that would be quick and easy to do.
Lisa Thompson
Realtor®, ABR®, e-PRO
AgentOwned Realty
843.270.2221
Lisa@LisaThompsonRealtor.Net
www.realestatefromlisa.com
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