Driving up to a home that had just come on the market, the first thing I saw was dull mulch and a lack of ornamental plants. Walking up to the door I saw dusty windows and a window screen slightly bent. Inside I found quite a few cobwebs, dead bugs in the window sills and scuffmarks on the baseboards. Although this is all normal wear and tear we can expect , to a prospective buyer the house may just looked as thought it had not been very well cared for.
It was really a pity. It was a beautiful home, only a few years old, nicely laid out and in a good neighborhood.
One hundred dollars worth of flowers and a couple bags of new mulch would have made the house much more visually appealing. The technical term is "Curb Appeal".
It would have taken a couple of hundred dollars for a maid service to clean the windows and house. The whole place would have sparkled.
I am not saying the house will not sell for the asking price. I am not even saying it will take longer to sell. What I am saying is that by not taking a few basic steps you are putting obstacles in your way. You don't want that!
In the courtship of selling your home, this is the first date. You want to make a good impression, so you must put your best foot forward.
It also shows pride in ownership. This is important; it shows buyers that you have kept up with the appearance of the home which means that you have probably kept up with the maintenance as well.
Now that the house is sparkly clean and the yards are crisp and bright, you can work on some of other the details.
Eliminate clutter. Whether it is the big-screen TV parked awkwardly in the corner, kitchen counters filled with appliances or shelves with (nick-knacks). Eliminate, or minimize, as much as possible.
Make sure there is adequate lighting in every room. Bright and airy is the effect you are looking for. There is a reason Realtors open every blind and turn on every light when showing a house.
There are people who might not consider a home because there were animals living in it. Remove all cat boxes, food bowls, toys, et cetera from view.
If you are going to paint your home, consider several things. If your budget allows, have a professional do it. The sharp, clean lines of a professional are very noticeable. Keep the colors neutral and simple. While deep rich colors and faux painting may be beautiful, they may not appeal to a buyer.
Notice the details. Your buyers will.