Create a Fantastic First Impression

Exterior

• Lawn carefully mowed, edged, fertilized and watered.
  
• Trees and shrubs trimmed; flower beds edged, weeded and cultivated.
  
• Driveways and walks free of snow or grass clippings.
  
• Exterior house paint in good condition and clean, especially the front door.
  
• All door locks open properly and easily.
  
• Roof in good condition.
  
• Screens and screen doors repaired.
  
• All exterior lighting in working condition, with fresh bulbs.
  
• Absence of clutter in yard and driveway.

Interior

• Walls clean and unmarked, preferably freshly painted with neutral colors.
  
• Windows clean inside and out.
  
• All light fixtures working and fresh bulbs in each.
  
• Plumbing in good repair.
  
• No cooking, smoking, pet or other objectionable odors.
  
• Sinks and tubs stain-free; faucets in good repair.
  
• Caulking in tubs and showers in good repair.
  
• All clutter removed from closets, attic, basement, garage and other storage areas.
  
• Ask your REALTOR® what should be boxed up to give your home a more spacious look.

Showing Your Home

• Open draperies and curtains.
  
• Turn on enough lights to brighten every corner, day and night.
  
• Remove dirty dishes.
  
• Make beds.
  
• Rooms dusted, vacuumed and clutter-free.
  
• Kitchens and baths sparkling clean; no clutter on counter-tops.
  
• Noise is distracting. Be sure TV and radios are turned off, although soft background music is acceptable.
  
• It’s best to keep pets out of the house. Even the friendliest pets become anxious when strangers appear.
  
• Put away valuables such as jewelry and cash, or remove completely.
  
• Never enter into a conversation with a prospect. Let the REALTOR® who is showing your home answer any questions the prospective buyers may have. It is best for you to leave while the house is being shown.
  
• If a prospective buyer comes by unexpectedly without a broker, get their name and phone number. FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION, DO NOT SHOW THE HOME. Have unescorted buyers call your REALTOR® for an appointment.

The National Association of Realtors states that 49% of all houses are bought based on one factor— Curb Appeal.

But, how do you achieve it?

Here are a few ideas:

• Addresses aren’t just for mailboxes. Consider placing decorative custom numbers on your home. “You spruce up your landscape with plants, so why not liven your home address the same way?” suggests Angie’s List.

• Glam the front door. Elizabeth Arden was onto something with it’s Red Door brand. Likewise, painting the front door lipstick red is in, for those who dare. For those who don’t, or whose houses aren’t a neutral color, Forbes advises to “try a more muted shade like sea-blue, or sage-green, or even black.”

• Replace (or repair) your roof. By experts’ standards, 40% of a home’s curb appeal hinges on the condition of the roof. That’s the first thing potential buyers see from a distance.

Need a new roof? Jason Joplin of the Center for the Advancement of Roofing Excellence, recently published favorable review of the new line of Glenwood Shingles from GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer (gaf.com). Joplin states, “It’s the industry’s thickest triple-layer asphalt shingle,” he says. “Not only does that result in an authentic wood-shake look at a fraction of the cost of traditional wood shake, but you’re also getting enhanced fire safety and lower maintenance.”

• Pressure time. Using a pressure washer to blast away dirt and debris from your property can actually be fun. But as HGTV cautions: “Be careful not to dislodge, or get any water underneath your home’s siding.”