Making a Great First Impression

Making a Great First Impression - Page 3

Page 3 of 7

The Garage
Eliminate all that stuff that you've been meaning to get rid of. Your garage should look like there is enough room for the new owner to park a car or truck.

Have a garage sale
Clean the trash cans to eliminate any unpleasant smell
Make sure the space is brightly lit
Sweep the floor
Clean the windows
Replace any cracked or broken window glass
Get rid of cobwebs
The garage door is easy to maneuver up and down
Pile up cartons together in one corner
Recycle old magazines and newspapers
Hang bicycles on bicycle hooks
Hang tools on peg board
Hang rakes, shovels, brooms, hoes, etc. from hooks
Clean off the work bench
Put up shelving for paint cans, containers of nails and screws, bags of fertilizer, winter tires, etc.
Place all sporting balls in bins
Organize gardening equipment
All children's toys, strollers, wagons, etc. are organized together
Replace outside basketball hoop if net is torn

The Garage - Lasting Impressions

Curtains in the windows
A weather vane on the roof
Flowering shrubs around the exterior
A large wall clock
A hobby project on the work bench... possibly a piece of furniture being refinished

The Interior
Clean every room thoroughly. For most buyers, houses must have that "ready to move into" look. Scuffed and finger-printed walls are a big turn-off for most buyers. Painting is the cheapest and easiest way to fix the problem but remember to choose a color that appeals to everyone. Neutrals like ivory and light gray are an attractive alternative to white.

If you have pets make sure your home doesn't smell like it. Smells, both pleasant and unpleasant, trigger instant andstrong responses that are extremely difficult to change.

Repair any house foundation cracks
Clean all windows, including those in the garage
Replace any cracked or broken window glass
Repair any wood rot
Check window screens. Replace any that are bent or bulging
Repair and/or replace caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors
Storm windows are available and clean
Exterior doors lock properly and are easy to open and shut
Oil any squeaky door hinges
Doorbells are working properly
Polish any brass door handles
Interior doors lock properly
All doors and walls are free of fingerprints
Illuminate dark corners with brighter light bulbs
Consider replacing standard lighting with some track lighting
Repair any noisy pipes
Repair any squeaky floorboards
Repair any cracks in floorboards or floor tiles
Replace 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 necessary
Smoke & heat detectors are operating
Fire extinguishers are in proper locations
All electrical outlets are functioning properly. Try not to have extension cords running all around a room
All electrical switches are working
All electrical wall switches have plate covers
All electrical wall plates are free of fingerprints
Electrical wiring is up to safety standards
Central vacuum is functioning properly and the collection bin is cleaned out
All telephone jacks function
Home insulation is up to standards
Fumigate house, if bothered by pests or rodents
Eliminate unpleasant odors ... cooking, pets, cigarette smoke, damp, musty

The Interior - Lasting Impressions

A home security system
House at a comfortable temperature
Soft music playing
The aroma of coffee brewing, or something baking in the oven
All interior doors wide open to create a sense of spaciousness
Curtains open (For maximum natural light)
Interior lights on to create a warm ambiance
No pets or children racing through the house
An unobstructed "walking path" through the house
Buyers shouldn't have to maneuver around too many pieces of furniture
A planned spot for the buyers and agent to sit and discuss the house - possibly the kitchen - with tea, coffee and a tray with cups and saucers, cream and sugar, and cookies ready on the counter.
A printed sheet for buyer's describing what you enjoy most about living in your home