First Impressions and Selling Your Home
A first impression can create a lasting impression. The majority of buyers decide within the first 60 seconds if they have interest in your home. The first impression they have is of the yard, entrance area, and back yard of your property. Follow these helpful tips to get your home ready to make a great first impression.
The thought of cleaning up your yard and getting it ready for potential sellers might seem like a time consuming task, but it's one that must be done.
Pick up any trash that is on the property. Grab a few heavy-duty trash bags and get to work. Look for old toys that are broken or no longer used. This is a good time to set aside one central location for the collection of trash bags and bigger items. This will make the final clean up easier.
Remove any pet waste. Even if you don't own a pet, you may have neighbors that have a wandering cat or dog. Picking up this waste keeps it from being tracked in to the home, and it keeps your yard free of odors.
Take care of organic trash. Rake the yard and bag up leaves, stray limbs, and other organic items. If you have a fruit tree, make sure the area is free of fruit that has fallen from the tree. Get rid of dead patches of grass, flowers, and bushes.
Take care of trees and the lawn. Hire an arborist to trim tree branches that have grown into powerlines. Make sure all the shrubs are trimmed uniformly. If your grass needs attention, this is a good time to look into methods of making it healthier. Refresh the mulch in your flowerbeds, as well.
Don't forget walkways. Create straight edges around the property that look clean. This is attractive and makes it easier to care for your lawn and any rock structures you may have surrounding the property. Take care of the cracks in your walkways and make sure they are free of weeds.
Store your vehicles. If you have a recreational vehicle, 4-wheelers, or other vehicles that aren't used on a daily basis, store them out of sight. If they must be seen, make sure they are clean and in good repair.
Porches, patios, and decks are focal points. Hire someone to power wash outdoor surfaces that may need some attention. Add a few pieces of useful, attractive furniture to make things look welcoming. You don't want to add clutter to the area, so use items that fit the space. If things need repainting, this is a good time to hire someone to do that for you.
Yard ornaments may need attention. You might love your flock of pink birds, but a potential buyer might not appreciate them. Remove yard ornaments, flags, bird feeders, and other things that may distract the buyer from seeing the potential of your property and home.
Remember your mailbox, house numbers, and light fixtures. Give them a good cleaning and paint them or replace them if necessary.
A bit of home maintenance is needed. Make sure the gutters are clean and free of blockages. Clean the windows, siding, and any other service that catches the eye. Replace dim bulbs in outdoor light fixtures.
It's helpful to set aside a few days or a weekend to get the work completed. Create a master list of things you'll want to get done. This will keep you focused and save time. It's also helpful to create a list of items you'll need for the clean up process. You don't want to waste time by stopping in the middle of a project to run to the store for paper towels.
For more helpful tips on how to make a good impression when selling your home, give Ashley Kimble Slaughter a call at 225-235-9379.
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