(ARA) - Between 2002 and 2003, more than 14 percent of
the U.S. population changed dwellings. The most common
reason for moving was the need for more space (43 percent).
When you decide to put your house on the market, it’s
important that you present a spacious, clean living space in
which prospective buyers can imagine themselves living. A
new Web site from The Home Depot, www.homedepotmoving.com,
offers some general tips for preparing your house for sale
and suggests taking a look at nine key areas when preparing
your home to show prospective buyers. More tips on preparing
your home for sale, including information on the return on
investment (ROI) you can expect for various home
improvements, can be found on the new Web site as well.
General Tips
* Clean everything thoroughly.
* Put out clean towels, new soap, a nice tablecloth and
fresh flowers.
* Don't be at home during a showing or open house.
* If you do stay, be polite, but let your real estate
agent do the talking.
* Don't apologize for the condition of your home.
* Make sure your kids and pets are out of the house.
* Eliminate clutter from all areas of your home to create
an impression of spaciousness and plentiful storage space.
* Nothing makes a home look new more quickly than a fresh
coat of paint. Neutral colors suggest newness and
cleanliness.
Nine Key Areas for Consideration
Storage
One of the first things a buyer looks at in a home is the
storage it offers. A general rule of thumb for sellers is to
take out half of what's in the closets and storage areas to
make them look more spacious. Remove excess furniture to
make rooms seem as spacious as possible. Consider throwing
out, donating, selling or storing things you no longer want.
Make sure that storage areas in your basement, attic or
garage also are well organized, thus giving prospective
buyers the impression that there is room for all of their
belongings.
Kitchen
Ask homebuyers what area or room of the home they
consider most important, and chances are they'll say the
kitchen. When prospective buyers look at your kitchen, they
will pay particular attention to its cleanliness, layout and
storage capacity. If major appliances are being sold with
the home, make sure they are spotless, odor-free and in good
working condition. Polish chrome surfaces and fix any leaky
faucets, loose cabinet hardware, drawer handles and outdated
or inefficient light fixtures. Make more efficient use of
drawers and cabinets with dividers and cutlery trays.
Walls
Repair any cracks or holes in the walls and ceiling and
repaint if necessary. Strip outdated wallpaper.
Windows
Clean interior and exterior windows and screens. Repair
cracked panes, torn screens, broken sashes and ropes or
cords as well. When your home is being shown, open your
curtains to let daylight in, especially if the view is
noteworthy. While you're at it, wash all the mirrors in the
house too, and launder or dry-clean your curtains and
drapes.
Floors
Carpeting has a major impact on the look of a home. Prior
to showing your home to prospective buyers, vacuum
thoroughly or have carpets steam-cleaned. If the carpet is
badly worn, outdated or stained, consider having it replaced
despite the expense. Check wood floors to see if they need
to be refinished. Scrub and wax tile floors and repair or
replace cracked tiles.
Lighting
Make sure light fixtures, switches, switchplates and
outlet covers are clean and in good working order.
Paint
It's true that first impressions are often lasting so
take a good look at the paint on the outside of your house.
Is it cracking, peeling or chipping? If it is, a fresh coat
for your exterior may cost you a bit of time and money but
may elevate your home from "fixer-upper" to "move-in
condition." If you decide your home needs painting, choose
colors that are appropriate for the style of your home and
that blend in well with your neighborhood.
Roof
Buyers will pay close attention to the condition of your
roof. You should re-patch or re-shingle where necessary, and
fix leaky, corroded downspouts and gutters. Inside, a
watermarked ceiling is a sign to buyers that the roof has
leaked -- even if the damage has been repaired.
Entry
A neat and clean entryway creates a positive first
impression, and a freshly painted door and trim with sturdy
hardware add a welcome touch. Replace faded house numbers
with new ones. Make sure the doorbell is in working order.
Courtesy of ARA Content
