How do I help improve buyer perceptions of my property?

Every buyer comes into a home with two buckets...a "yes" bucket and a "no" bucket.  My job is to fill the "yes" bucket to full capacity so your home stands out as THE ONE.  I can not controll the "no" bucket to some degree (ex. couple fighting on the way to the showing, spilled coffee in lap and was bit by a spider on the way over), but I can make sure I have marketed amazingly, helped you to price the property right, and have encouraged you to stage your beautiful home to perfection  :)

While each buyer will carry different preconceptions about real estate to your property, there are some commonly accepted notions which tend to either attract or drive customers away. These can be summarized in a list of "Do's and Dont's" when preparing your property to be listed on the market. Instead of your house being known as "The house that smells" or "The house with the barking dog," fix these problems before listing your property on the market. Many of these low cost fixes will go a long way in helping you get top dollar.

Odors
While you may not notice Fluffy's aroma after fifteen years, many others will upon entering your home. Those houses which smell of cigarette, mildew, or pet odors tend to dispel customers quickly. To combat this, have someone who does not live in your home arrive and give you an honest opinion (and don't get mad at them if they tell you the truth). Lastly, eradicate the odors which plague your home. This will provide prospective buyers with a crisp, fresh atmosphere-not a house that's masked by perfumes.

Pets that meet buyers in the driveway
Try and make reservations for Rover to be elsewhere during a showing. He may be friendly when you are around, but his barking at random buyers will create an unwelcome atmosphere.

Dirty Bathrooms
Grime and dirt in your bathrooms are an instant turnoff. Scrub, paint, and replace shower curtains, rugs and towels until they shine. Bathrooms are the number one representation of the interior condition of the house to buyers, and if they see a dirty bathroom, "dirty" is the impression they will be left with. Dimly Lit Rooms

Dark rooms and homes are turnoffs to most buyers. Potential fixes include:

• Replace dim light fixtures
• Install additional fixtures
• Install (quality) skylights
• Remove or replace heavy drapes
• Repaint dark rooms in brighter colors
• Trim trees and bushes that shadow the house
  

Homes with Busy walls
Houses with lots of busy wallpaper with turn off most buyers, and even those who do enjoy the use of wallpaper will likely not appreciate your specific tastes. Such a matter of taste will be considered personal, and they'll want to do it themselves. Don't limit the number of prospective buyers by leaving things in your home that reflect a speficic taste they may not like. Cream paint may be bland, but it allows for a level of customization that most buyers will appreciate.

Damp Basements
Regardless of the condition of the foudation of your home, a damp basement implies that it leaks, even when it truly doesn't. If you have leaks, then fix them. If not, look for drainage issues around the exterior of your home. If water is pooling near the foundation, look to see where downspouts or underground drains might be clogged. A trip outside your home the next time it rains will tell you.

Bugs
Spiders, Roaches, or any kind of insect don't belong in the house. Insects are a concrete turnoff for which there is one solution: Get rid of them.

Curb Appeal
Start looking at your house as a buyer would during a drive-by. Many buyers will refuse to see a house with an unkempt yard, sagging doors and peeling paint. If your house doens't look good from the street, chances are buyers won't take the time to take a look at the inside.

Gutters and Roofs with Plants Growing on Them
Some home-owners simply never clean them out, and it makes buyers wonder what other
kinds of maintenance have been avoided for far too long.

Sellers Who Won't Leave for Showings
Leave the house during a showing. Prospective buyers will feel awkward about opening your closets and bathrooms. Even if you are selling by owner, give them some space and let them linger for as long as they want, don't hover.