Outside Tips for Selling Your House in 2008
Last month I discussed the improvements and tips for increasing the desirability of your home to sell. The areas that I covered were the areas that can affect the potential buyer when they enter the home. The way your home affects someone in the way of: cleanliness, odors and other elements that can affect a buyer on a subconscious level.
In this article I’d like to talk about how the outside of your home has an impact on a buyer as their first impression.
At this time of year, although its still winter, the snow is starting to recede from around the houses and we begin to see what lies beneath the snow from last fall or what blew in from our most recent storms.
To make a good impression from the outside of your home, make sure that any trash or debris is cleaned up. Some people might not think of this time of year as a spring clean up time, but instead of waiting until all of the snow is melted, its good to be cleaning as the snow melts in order to have a clean and non offensive entry to greet a potential home buyer. Trash, shingles, dog doo and plant debris will be the first thing that someone will see as they approach your home. Also make sure that the steps are cleared of snow and ice will help your visitors feel more welcome and safer as they approach the home, especially if you have a north facing entry. Make sure that the driveway is also clear of ice so the people coming to view your home can make it to the front door without falling!
When the sun is melting the snow during these warmer days and then freezing at night it can make for some slippery situations for visitors who may not have the appropriate footgear. Don’t turn them off before they make it through the front door.
Exterior maintenance like painting, siding repair, gutter alignment and deck or stair repairs should be in tip top shape. Nothing affects a buyer more than a first impression. Fresh paint and a clean exterior with “pride of ownership” will be noticed by a potential home buyer first thing and will make an impression that will stick with them.
The buyers today are looking for a great “DEAL” and are highly selective. Be careful to do all of the things that will greet a buyer and that will impress them with your home.
Other details to put on your check list are: have your windows cleaned now. There is so much dust from the cinders on the roads that it covers everything in sight. Also if you have a home in a particularly dusty area you can blow off the outside with an air compressor. This will help with cobwebs as well. If possible you can also wash the exterior of your home and then clean the windows. This will add a sparkle to you home after the snow has melted.
If your landscaping is visible you can make sure that it’s trimmed of broken branches and leaf debris that has collected over the fall and winter. Any Christmas lights or holiday decorations should be put away by now.
If you have a stack of wood, you can tidy it up and clear away any of the loose wood chips that seem to take over the deck and then get tracked into the house.
Make sure too that any trash cans outside are stowed properly and are protected from the bears and other “wildlife” so that at a moments notice if your home is to be shown, you’ll know that it is trash free.
Sometimes a real estate sign will become buried after several storms or knocked over from the wind. Make sure that they are dug out and placed at the correct height so that drive by lookers will be able to see what office it is and who the agent is. If possible also put the signs in a visible window that can be seen from the street.
Flyers placed in front of the home (freestanding) are a good idea too. That way the drive buy lookers can see right away if it’s a good price for them or if they need to look elsewhere. Screening the potential buyer will help to save time and energy for all concerned.
It’s a great market right now for purchasing the home of your dreams and for selling a property to change locations or reinvest in other properties. Make sure that your property shows well the first time around, because sometimes you don’t get a second chance! Happy home selling!
