Maximizing Your Home's Potential

A buyer’s first impression is so crucial, it could even determine if they make it through the front door. Your goal as a seller is to create a favorable first impression to drive potential buyers to your home and help them see themselves living there once they arrive.

Amy can provide you with guidance on staging, but there are some
easy things you can do to provide a warm and welcoming environment to prospective buyers.

Paint: Cracked, peeling or chipped paint can deter potential home buyers. If possible, add a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of your home. At the least, repaint damaged trim and shutters on the front side of the house.

Roof: A well-maintained roof often means a well-maintained home. If your roof is still in good condition, you may just need to remove any moss and give it a good cleaning. If it’s old or damaged in any way, consider replacing the roof all together.

Front Door: This is where eyes are immediately drawn to. Add a fresh coat of paint, clean any glass on the door, and polish or replace the hardware. You can also add flower boxes at the
doorway to provide a sense of warmth as potential buyers approach.

Other Exterior Areas:

• Repair any broken fence boards and, if needed, apply a fresh coat of paint.
• Clean all windows, inside and out.
• Keep your lawn well-maintained, re-seeding and fertilizing where necessary. Trim any overgrown bushes and consider adding a fresh layer of beauty bark to flower beds.
• Clean gutters and downspouts.
• Replace light bulbs in all exterior light fixtures.

Remove the clutter: Less is more when it comes to showing off your home. Remove as much as you can from countertops, kitchens, closets and bedrooms. The less you have in the room, whether it’s on a counter or free-standing, the more spacious the room will appear. Selling a home is a great time to purge stuff you haven’t used in years!

Depersonalize: You want potential buyers to envision themselves living there. This is hard for some people to do when they see pictures of another family on the wall or a room full of awards and trophies. Remove items from refrigerator doors, and take down anything with strong religious or political undertones.

Additional Interior Enhancements:

• Clean or repaint any dull rooms.
• Repair any leaky faucets in kitchens or bathrooms.
• Re-caulk and clean tile and grout in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Professionally steam clean carpets, especially in high traffic areas like hallways, stairs, and living rooms.
• Organize closets and the pantry.
• Replace burnt out bulbs in all light fixtures.
• Refinish worn out wood floors.

Light: Not only does light affect photos, it affects the mood of people walking through your house. Keep all lights on, drapes open, and blinds up! Replace any burnt out bulbs and add a table lamp, if necessary. A well-lit room makes it feel more inviting.

Wall Décor: Mirrors and art can transform a room. Mirrors create the illusion of additional space so strategically placing a few mirrors around the home, especially in small spaces like hallways, can be a welcoming addition. Putting up a piece of abstract art on a big blank wall above a couch or bed is an excellent finishing touch to the room. Again, it creates a welcoming environment encouraging people to come in to the room and enjoy what it has to offer.

Accent with color: A pop of bright color, through solid towels
in the bathrooms or flower pots in an entry way, will help create a
warm environment for potential buyers. Add a few colorful pillows
to a couch or a throw rug in an entryway to finish off the room.