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First Impressions
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Now that you have made the decision to sell your home, it is important to
get into a marketing mindset. Even though properties in Simi Valley,
Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo and The San Fernando Valley have been moving
fast. Conditions in the market have begun to change and I am seeing
listings take 90 to 120 days to sell. With this in mind, the information below
can be invaluable to a successful sale of your property. Using the list below look for areas in your
home that will make your home more marketable. As your agent, I have a
marketing plan that will bring buyers to your home, but once they pull up to
your property, it will be important that your home be ready to show. If you
have ever toured model homes, you can see that they are decorated and kept
tidy for maximum marketing benefits. The rest of us who live in imperfect
worlds of family and job pressure, cant quite keep our houses the same, day
in and day out, but any areas of your home that can be improved, will help
make your home that much more attractive to buyers touring your home.
Be sure to schedule an appointment for a Free
25 Home Inspection Preview. I would be happy to help
you.
Yards:
Keep lawn(s) neat and mowed. If you have holes or uneven spots fill them
level with fresh dirt or sand. If your sprinklers are on a timer, make sure
your timer is on and keeping your lawn fresh and green.
Remove dead plants, leaves and debris from flowerbeds and tree bases.
Trim bushes that have overgrown pathways, patios, doors or windows.
Sweep loose dirt and debris from walkways and driveway.
Roll up hoses.
Make sure storage on your side yards is neat and orderly and that your
trash area is clean. Now is a great time to think about getting rid of old
unwanted items. Why wait to get rid of unwanted items when you move, do it
now so your yards dont look cluttered.
If your time is short and you cant get to the yard because of important
work and family matters, consider hiring a yard service just for the time
your home is listed. Yard service can run as low as $65.00 per month
(depending on the size of your home).
If you have patio furniture, clean it off and keep it neatly arranged.
If you have a pool and/or spa, consider hiring a service while your home
is listed so it is always sparkling when buyers come to tour your home.
Your Homes Exterior
Remove cobwebs around the entrances and traveled areas of your homes
exterior.
Fix any cracked windows and broken screens.
If the screens and windows of your home have not been cleaned in while,
now is the time to do it or hire a service.
If there are areas where you can touch up paint do so.
Replace missing bricks on planters and walkways.
If you have holiday decorations up and the holiday has past, take the
decorations down.
Replace any burnt out exterior lighting, sometime buyers will come at the
end of a workday and a brightly lit exterior will make a huge difference.
Garage:
Why wait until your home sells to tackle this part of your house? You have
made the decision to sell, clear it out now when you can make some extra
money in a garage sale and alleviate the pressures of packing a house and a
garage for a move. If you have certain items stored in your garage that you
cannot part with, get them boxed and ready for the move now.
Closets:
Like your garage, your closets can be thinned and probably add income to
your garage sale. Neatly arrange closets that are not crammed with items
make your home look functional. When a buyer tours your home and looks in a
closets and sees them packed and crammed with your belongings, the buyers
will start you wonder if your home is small or has storage problems.
Living Areas:
It is very important that bedrooms, dens, living rooms, dining rooms, etc.
are well kept and not cluttered. Too much furniture and clutter will make
small rooms look tiny and large rooms look smaller. Consider hiring a carpet
cleaner and even a home cleaning service to help you get your home ready for
sale. You may be busy looking for another home or making arrangements to
move and these services will help lighten your workload.
Make sure to clean around light switches and doors in the heavy traffic
areas of your home.
Replace burnt out lights.
Make arrangements to have switches, outlets and plumbing repaired if
needed.
Change the filter on your HVAC unit and make sure it is working properly.
If you know that buyers are on their way over to your home for a tour,
open blinds and drapes to keep rooms bright and cheery.
Kitchen:
Clean the oven and wax /clean the floor.
Keep the clutter off the counter as best you can, so your kitchen too will
appear to be spacious.
If you have an area for house hold bills and paperwork, keep it tidy and
put away any sensitive information.
Keep your sink clean and free of dishes.
Bathrooms
Keep some Windex under the sink and keep mirrors clean.
Make sure lights, fans and heat lamps are working.
Store Prescription drugs elsewhere in your bedroom.
Put away laundry.
Fix any drips on faucets and running toilets.
Check caulking around showers and tubs.
Clean or replace shower curtains
The idea behind the list above is to get into a marketing mindset, you are
marketing your home to prospective buyers. If you adopt a marketing mindset
you will help add value to your home value that will help your home sell
fast and closer to a full listing price offer. We may not all have the same
decorating tastes, but theres no better First Impression than a neat,
uncluttered and organized house.
Remember, I am glad to offer any
help. My Home
Inspection Preview Report is Free and will only take
about 30 minutes of your time.
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