The 10 Most Important Strategies Required to Sell Your Home

November 16, 2006 (Press Release) -- Begin With the Outside of Your Home. Everyone knows that you only get one chance to make a first impression, so what should that impression be? Start with the view from the street to the front door. If your mailbox shows its age, paint it or replace it. If your home is painted, a good rule of thumb is that if it has been more than 5 years since it was painted, it probably needs to be painted again. Pressure wash the curb, driveway and sidewalk. Make sure your lawn is manicured and your plants look fresh and inviting. Finally, consider your front door itself. Make sure the paint is fresh, the locks work easily and the door opens with out any use of force.
Lighting is the First Impression on a Buyer. Brighter is better here so make sure all lights are operational with the highest wattage bulb allowed for each fixture.
De-clutter and Remove Family Photos. Remove unnecessary items from tables, mantles, floors and counters. Items in these areas tend to shrink the feel of the house. Personal items should be removed wherever possible. Your goal is to sell your home so keep your buyers focus on the house, not on you.
Clean Everything – Remove Bad Odors. Baseboards, windows, cabinets, ceiling fans, mantles, sinks, doors handles, shelves, vacuum all carpets and treat stains, thoroughly clean hardwood floors, organize the laundry room and pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms.
Garage and Basement. Remember what the intended uses of these spaces are. Your garage is a place to keep your car out of the weather and offers a second entrance into an out of your home. Place items of storage in organized boxes in your basement and give the impression to the buyer that you are ready to move.
Organize Your Closets. Buyers like to peek into closets to see if there is adequate storage for there possessions. Maximize the appearance of space through minimizing the number of items in your closets.
Paint Wherever Necessary. Do not skip this step. With paint, you have a chance to freshen up walls that will add new life to your home. The entrance, heavily trafficked areas, doors, bathrooms and kitchens are the most common areas that will need a fresh coat of paint.
Light Fixtures, Faucets and Door Hardware. Think of these items as the jewelry inside your home. These items must be in keeping with today’s style and the overall architectural feel of your home. This is another area that you must not overlook. You can be sure that your buyers will notice outdated items as soon as they see them.
Systems in Your Home. If your hot water heater, air conditioner, furnace and electrical systems are not new, understand that your homes value will be reduced because of it.
Structural Issues – Roofing and Siding. There is a common term home inspectors will use when referring parts of your home . It is called “useful life”. If you have a roof or siding that is nearing the end of its useful life, replace it.