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DEAL BREAKERS: Small Repairs That Make A HUGE Difference When Selling / THE DRIVEWAY

By Michelle Pimentel

Home Stager with Empire Home Staging Solutions

October 02, 2010 07:37 PM

DEAL BREAKERS

A series of posts from Empire Home Staging Solutions, about common home repairs that can often times get overlooked and forgotten by sellers!

Deal Breakers are those small repair jobs that we always put off because we don't have the time to fix them, or we just have become so accustomed to living with them, that we have just forgotten about them all together. Oversights perhaps, but when trying to sell a home these small repairs can make all the difference in whether you have a deal or not. Learn how these simple home repairs can enhance your homes beauty and maximize its true selling potential!

Small fixes that can have a HUGE impact when it comes to putting your home on the market!

When a small home repair is not fixed, it allows potential buyers to negotiate downward on the sales price in order to compensate for the amount of money that will be needed to cover the repair costs.

Leave the guessing out of the equation and repair the deal breakers before placing your home on the market.

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THE DRIVEWAY

Often times driveways get overlooked when it comes to preparing a home for sale.

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However, a driveway in most instances is in the front of the house and will be one of the first things that potential buyers will see when they come to view a property.

When a driveway has rust & oil stains from cars and/or weeds popping up through the concrete it just isn't a great "First Impression".

Using products from your local hardware or home

improvement store can help eliminate the stains. Following up with a good power wash can really change the appearance of the driveway and give your home great curb appeal.

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Following these simple steps before putting your home on the market, can give your home the curb appeal it needs.

Let potential buyers know that your home is well maintained. Have your driveway clear of any stains and debris and looking marvelous!

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To view other potential "Deal Breakers" click on the links below.

FLOORING

THE FRONT DOOR

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Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Michelle: Yes, it is often the little things that we end up tripping over when trying to get the sale closed. By the way... I like your profile picture. I assume you are the one in the middle with the full mask ? That's what I need... a mask ! <smile>

Oct 02, 2010 07:45 PM

Michelle Pimentel

Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA

ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Karen- The little fixes DO make all the difference when they are addressed!

As for the profile pic, thanks a very good guess... you had a chance of 1 in 3 but, I'm on the left and I don't think YOU need a mask at all...YOUR profile pic is beautiful just the way it is! :)

Oct 02, 2010 07:59 PM

Kat DeLong

Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ

REALTOR

Michelle; Such a good post for sellers! Curb appeal (in this case the driveway) is so important. If we can't get them out of the car, we're certqinly not going to get them to BUY. Look forward to the next tipw...

Oct 03, 2010 01:43 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Great pics to illustrate your point. I was once greeted by piles of dog poop as I walked up a driveway to a client's home...now that's a first impression you don't soon forget!

Oct 03, 2010 01:56 AM

Julia Maher

Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT

Connecticut Home Stager

2 Drives Sellers also need to be conscious of how their driveway looks compared to those in the neighborhood. Which driveway looks better? Unfortunately, the house on the market is on the right! I told the sellers to get it re-sealed. Happy Staging! Julie

Oct 03, 2010 03:37 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Good tips and reminders for sellers, Michelle, about the all-important first impression of the driveway. A few hours spent cleaning it up makes such a huge difference.

Oct 03, 2010 07:13 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Michelle, the items you pointed out just scream "I'm not cared for" to a Buyer. And at the point they see them, the first impression has been made. A very inexpensive fix that can help to sell their house.

Oct 03, 2010 02:33 PM

Cathy Lee

CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA

ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

I need your products-getting an REO ready for market right now. Great post Michelle!

Oct 03, 2010 04:28 PM

Kat- Buyers are very savvy these days & are looking for turnkey homes and it all starts with curb appeal!

Sharon- Oh that's awful...I'm sure you corrected that issue right away! NOT a good impression at anytime!

Julia-Sellers have to keep up with the competition even if they are not on the market, sellers notice their surroundings and a sellers home needs to look like one of the best homes on the block!

Oct 04, 2010 06:47 AM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Just power washing alone can make a driveway and sidewalks look brand new. Buyers don't want to have to mess with cleaning and fixing, they want to just move in.

Oct 04, 2010 04:09 PM

Hi Maureen- As you know, a clean driveway always will make a better first impression! Sellers need to know that even the little things that often get overlooked, can have a BIG impact on how buyers will respond to a property.

Kathy- Oh so true! It definitely is an inexpensive fix and should never be overlooked.

Cathy Lee-Thanks for commenting...best of luck on your REO project!

Cindy- You are so right! Buyers have enough to do with the move and getting settled, they don't want to bother cleaning up after the previous owners.

Oct 04, 2010 07:14 PM

DEAL BREAKERS: Small Repairs That Make A HUGE Difference When Selling / THE DRIVEWAY

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