House Exterior

Concentrate on the house exterior first. A nice curb appeal instantly shows good housekeeping and attract potential buyers better than any advertising.

If the exterior of the house is dirty or moldy, power wash it. If it is in need of paint, a fresh coat of paint will make the house cleaner looking. Try get competitive bids if you can't do it yourself. Check gutters and down spouts to make sure they are clear and functioning properly.

Make sure the sidewalk and driveway are free of clutter and debris, and ensure the house number is easily visible. Buy new house numbers if the old ones are dated or faded. Be sure buyers can see the new ones from the curb. House entrance should be inviting. Paint the door if needed. Also, replace any outdated outdoor lighting fixtures and buy a new welcome mat.

Landscaping is very important for first impression. Remove any junk or clutter from the yard. Replace wood showing dry rot and and replace all dead plants. Make sure your lawn is well manicured and flower beds don't have weeds. If possible, reseed any bare areas of the lawn. If the season is right, plant more colorful flowers where appropriate. An inexpensive but very effective way of freshening the look of the yard is to add mulch to planting beds and around trees. Make sure that no underlying plastic is exposed, that rocks and decorations are tidy and that weeds and grass are removed.

Make sure the exterior (and the interior) of windows are clean and operational. Repair or replace torn or bent screens or any cracked or broken panes. If your windows are framed in foliage, cut it back and make sure the foliage is not restricting the light coming into the room.

Your garage door should open freely and if you have an automatic door opener, make sure it is in good working order. Paint the garage door if needed, clean the clutter and store tools neatly away.

Power wash and seal, stain or paint decks and porches. Check the patio and walkway for broken paving stones and don't forget to remove children's toys or overflowing trash cans. If you have patio with sliding doors, make sure doors open and close freely. A nice display of outdoor furniture on a patio looks very appealing.

If you have a swimming pool, keep the water clean, hose dust and cobwebs from filtration equipment and store chemicals and tools neatly away.

House Interior

Now it's time to get your home ready for the spotlight. One of the very first things to do is get rid of the clutter, than give whole house a good cleaning. Add a fresh coat of paint if needed, nothing freshens up a room like a new coat of paint.

With some minor repairs and good decorative ideas you can spruce up the interior of your house. The least expensive way to improve showability of your house is to open up as much space as possible. Reorganize your furniture, declutter storage areas by getting rid of items you're not using, and tidy up all rooms. Too much furniture or too much clutter implies lack of organization and can prevent a prospect from appreciating the house's true features. Keep in mind that overstuffed rooms and closets give the impression of being smaller that they really are.

Entry area must be especially inviting for your potential buyers. So make certain it is well lit, clean and has nothing laying around.

Pay special attention to kitchen counters, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom cabinets because overcrowding gives the impression of inadequate space in the kitchen and bathroom.

Don't forget to steam clean your carpets or polish and wax your floors if needed. If your floors are not in good condition, you should consider quick update. Change worn carpets or tile floors or install a floating floor and boost the value of your home.

The atmosphere of your house should be airy and bright. So raise the blinds and pull back the drapes. Make sure that all interior lights are operational and have a good bulb of adequate wattage. If showing in the evening, leave on all exterior lights and garden lighting, plus room lighting.

Try to eliminate all potential sources of bad odors. If you have pets, clean the carpets couple times before your home is placed on the market to be sure odors have been eliminated.

Decorate your house with plants and flowers. Plants and flowers improve the air in the room, add color, and come in such a variety of shapes and colors; you can tailor the display to suit any decor.

Finally, remember most potential buyers will not relax and inspect a house closely if the owners are present. So if possible, try to arrange to turn your house over to a real estate salesperson, or someone you trust, and be absent during the showing.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maya Gavric, entrepreneur, consultant, former realtor, freelance writer, web developer, artist and marketing coach has been working, researching and reporting on the Internet for years. Her numerous articles offer valuable insight and tips on wide variety of topics. In recent times she has paid particular attention to knowledge management on the Internet and environmental problems, exploring how our attention to hot issues might best transform current situation into better practice.

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