Making a Great First Impression Inside the House!
Making a Great First Impression
Article #2 – Inside the House!
Most buyers want to see a home that is “move-in” ready. Scuffed and finger-printed wall are a major turn off for the majority of all buyers. Painting is the cheapest and easiest way to fix the problem but keep in mind to choose a color that appeals to everyone. Neutral colors are the way to go!
Clean every room thoroughly and de-junk each room. If you have any pets make sure your home doesn’t smell like you have pets. People who don’t have pets usually have a keen sense of smell and again it will cause a potential buyer to walk away!
Here is a list of things to help you ready your home for sale!
- Repair any foundation cracks
- Clean all windows inside and out
- Replace broken glass
- Repair any wood rot
- Check all window screens. Replace those that are bent or have holes in them
- Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around the doors
- Exterior and interior doors lock properly and are easy to open and close
- Oil any squeaky hinges
- Doorbell is in working order
- Polish Brass door handles
- Repair any noisy pipes
- Repair any squeaky floorboards
- Replace any loose floorboards or floor tiles
- Repair any woodwork ( door frames, baseboards, chair rails, etc.) if chipped or dented
- Give woodwork a fresh coat of paint, if needed
- Smoke detectors are working
- All electrical outlets are working
- All electrical switches are working and have plate covers
When showing the house…
- Have your thermostat set at a comfortable level
- Soft music playing
- All interior doors open to create a sense of spaciousness
- Curtains / blinds open for maximum natural light
- Interior lights on for warm ambiance
- The aroma of coffee or cookies in the air
Some household tips…
- Squeaky wooden floors – dust talcum powder into the cracks to stop squeaking
- Sticky Drawers – Rub a bar of hand soap across the runners. Drawers should glide much easier!