EVALUATING THE CONDITION OF YOUR HOUSE - COSMETICS
The appearance of your house is just as important as its condition, so evaluate the inside and outside before listing. Smart sellers rely on the objectivity and expertise of a professional home stager to identify cosmetic issues and suggest cost-effective solutions to present a house for maximum appeal.
Living in your house is different from selling it, and smart selling may require you to make cosmetic changes before putting it on the market. Your house is now a product, and the more you do to present it attractively and for wide appeal, the faster the sale and the greater the return on your investment. How much you do depends on the condition of your house, and your time, resources and budget.
Evaluate the appearance of every room, including the garage. Look for ways to showcase the best features of the house itself, not your belongings, and not your taste in decorating. To make the house appeal to anybody who sees it, nothing should be too specific, like a dinosaur mural on the walls of your child's bedroom. Smart selling requires interior spaces that are simple, open, clean, bright and welcoming, painted in neutral colors coordinated with permanent elements, such as tile or flooring. Look at your house through the eyes of a buyer. Are all rooms being used as intended? When you're selling, the dining room should not be an office. Do rooms and storage areas look as large as possible? If closets and the garage are disorganized or overflowing, or there are items too large for a room, like a treadmill, consider renting storage space. Remember, "Clutter eats equity."
Outside appearances are equally important. A clean, attractive house will make prospects want to come in and see more, and creates confidence that it's well-maintained. Paint or stain colors should enhance the architecture and be in good condition. Pressure-wash the house and decks, if needed. Pack small decorative accessories. Make sure plants are trimmed and healthy, and add fresh mulch. Keep the lawn cut and the edges neatly trimmed.
Evaluating cosmetics can be difficult. Many sellers lack the emotional detachment to see their house clearly, and smart sellers call a professional home stager to help them. A professional stager has the formal training, experience and objectivity to help you properly showcase your house's best features and minimize the impact of the less attractive ones.
Smart Selling Tip: The appearance of your house is just as important as its condition, so evaluate the inside and outside before listing. Smart sellers rely on the objectivity and expertise of a professional home stager to identify cosmetic issues and suggest cost-effective solutions to present a house for maximum appeal.
©2009 Sandy LeRoy and Mary Stephens
Comments(0)