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Selling a home an be a daunting experience,
especially if it's your first time. But with the
right preparation, you can easily increase the
likelihood of a sale -- and possibly increase your
net proceeds as well.
Here then are 11 low-cost tactics that will enhance
your home, inside and out.
1. Make the entrance inviting.
A home’s entrance carries significant meaning, both
symbolically and structurally. It’s where the
homeowner leaves the outside world behind and enters
the comfort and sanctuary of home. Treat it
accordingly.
2. Remove clutter.
Clutter (too many appliances in the kitchen, too
many pictures and knickknacks on the tables, etc.)
makes a home seem smaller than it is. It can also
put too much of a personal touch on the house. Clear
away everything but a few, well-placed design
elements.
3. Clean, clean and clean some more.
As a general rule, you can never clean too much
before showing your house. This goes hand in hand
with the clutter concept above -- the cleaner a
house, the easier it is for buyers to see themselves
in it. It makes the house mentally "transferable"
from owner to buyer. And it just plain looks nice!
4. Freshen up the rooms.
Sunlight, fresh paint and a well-placed vase of
flowers can do wonders for any room -- and for
minimal cost.
5. Arrange for space.
Arrange furniture in a way that maximizes space and
creates a smooth traffic flow. It might take some
trial-and-error, but the spaciousness you create
will be worth it.
6. Perform minor repairs as needed.
No how matter how trivial it may seem to you, an
item needing repair will send a mental message to
buyers. "Gosh, if they didn’t even care to fix that
before showing the house, what else have they let
go?"
7. Replace outdated fixtures (lights, knobs,
etc.).
This falls into the "easy fixes with major impact"
department. New lighting and fixtures can make an
entire room seem new, even if it’s not.
8. Have the carpets professionally cleaned.
It’s quick, it doesn’t cost much, and it can give
much-needed life to carpet. Even if you think your
carpet is fine, give it a try. You’ll see the
difference afterward!
9. Empty closets and attics to showcase their
space.
Remember, prospective buyers are trying to see
themselves in each house they look at. It’s a key
determinant on whether they make an offer or scratch
the house of their list.
Tip: Put half your clothes in a storage unit or in a
friend’s house (temporarily). Your closets will seem
larger with some emptiness to them.
10. Tidy up the landscaping.
Trim the bushes. Mow and water the lawn. Sweep the
driveway and walkway. Plant fresh flowers. Most of
these things cost you nothing but time, yet they’ll
significantly enhance your overall "curb appeal."
11. "Neutralize" your paint scheme.
Colors and color preference are subjective things.
One person’s favorite color can make another person
gasp. To avoid putting off buyers with dominant
colors, play it safe with beige, taupe and other
neutrals. Remember, the goal is to help people see
themselves in the home.
Don't overdo it!
It’s important not to take on too much at once. You
don’t want so many projects that they postpone your
ability to show your house. Start small. Develop a
checklist of the projects you want to do, and
prioritize them by level of importance. That way, if
you run out of time or money, you’ll at least have
the biggest projects out of the way first.
Learn More
Want more tips and strategies for selling your home?
You'll find 20 pages of them in the author's "Home
Selling Workshop." See below for website address.
About the Author
Brandon Cornett has worked as a marketing manager
for a company serving the real estate industry since
1986. He prepares home-selling products for
homeowners and real estate agents alike. The article
above is an excerpt from his "Home Selling
Workshop," available for download at:
http://www.armingyourfarming.com/products/sellersguide.php
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Cornett
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