Increasing Your Home’s Appeal
Increasing Your Home’s Appeal
Remember the 60-second rule: That’s all the time you have to create a winning first impression. Here are some simple to significant ways to maximize your home’s appeal.
Exterior
- Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter.
- Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds.
- Apply fresh paint to wooden fences.
- Tighten and clean all door handles.
- Clean windows inside and out.
- Powerwash home’s exterior.
- Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
- Paint the front door.
- Buy a new welcome mat.
- Place potted flowers near the front door.
- Move cars away from the front of the home.
- Move trash bins to the garage.
- Relocate hoses.
- Rake leaves.
- Sweep the porch.
- Open deck umbrellas.
- Remove grill covers.
Interior
- General
- Evaluate the furniture in each room and remove anything that interrupts “the flow” or makes the room appear smaller. Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site.
- Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves.
- Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Shampoo carpets.
- Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks.
- Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
- Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
- Clean or paint walls and ceilings.
- Replace worn cabinet and door knobs.
- Fix or replace discolored grout.
- Replace broken tiles.
- Replace worn countertops.
- Remove shoes and coats.
- Replace dead bulbs.
- Wipe down surfaces.
- Hide any pet beds/toys/bowls.
- Bathrooms
- Wash mirrors for marks.
- Hide trash cans, toilet brushes and plungers.
- Remove used bath or hand towels.
- Tip: Decorative towels show beautifully.
- Remove all toiletries from countertops.
- Make sure toilet paper isn’t empty or hanging low.
- If you have a glass shower door, remove shampoos, soaps, etc.
- Bedrooms
- De-clutter.
- Make the beds.
- Make sure the mattress or any objects under the bed are not showing.
- Store any personal items from the nightstand (glasses, remottes, etc.)
- Kitchen
- Clear off counter tops.
- Wipe down appliances.
- Hide garbage cans, along with pet food bowls, mats and other items.
- If dining area is small, remove any table leaves to accentuate the room size.
- Living/Dining Room
- Keep floors as clear as possible to emphasize the beuaty of the naturl flooring.
- Make sure any TVs or computer monitors are turned off.
- Clear surfaces of any non-decor items.
Special details for showings
- Turn on all the lights.
- Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime.
- Keep pets secured outdoors.
- Buy new towels for bathrooms.
- Buy new bedding for bedrooms.
- Replace old lamps or lampshades.
- Play quiet background music.
- Light the fireplace or clean out the ashes and light a candelabrum.
- Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.
- Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party.
- Vacate the property while it is being shown.