In a competitive market a savvy seller should always look for an edge and a means to differentiate the property from others. This applies whether the property being sold is an owner-occupied home or an investment property.
Real Estate Agents always have the house open to the public on specific days and times so that potential buyers have an opportunity to browse through the house without the owners being present. This is colloquially known as 'open house.' To ensure that the opportunity presented by an 'open house' is maximized, take a little time beforehand to make sure that the property looks its best. Here are some suggestions to help enhance the appeal and feel of the property.
The Prospects are Not Buying a House- They are Buying a Lifestyle
First impressions count. Start outside in the garden by:
- mowing the lawns,
- weeding the flowerbeds,
- sweeping driveways,
- pruning trees and shrubs, and
- painting fences and gates, if needed.
Enhancing the Appeal Inside the Property
Just as one takes pride in one's appearance, it should be carried through to the home or investment property. Some areas to consider are:
- the entrance- ensure it is kept spic and span,
- floors- carpets vacuumed and deodorized and wooden, tiled or slate floors mopped and polished,
- kitchen- bench tops wiped over, no dirty dishes in the sink and rubbish bins emptied,
- bedrooms- beds made and other furniture dusted,
- bathrooms- cleaned and deodorized,
- living areas- dusted and cleared of unwanted articles.
Ways to Maximize the Sale Potential of the Property
It is important to make the house feel inviting, welcoming and warm when potential buyers walk through. There are some simple ways to achieve this.
- Opening blinds and curtains.
- Turning on lights in dark hallways or landings.
- Using fresh flower arrangements to complement the decor.
- Uncluttering living rooms. For example hiding, giving away or otherwise disposing of unwanted furniture, toys, novelty items and bric-a-brac.
Natural air-flow is better than using deodorizers or incense. Air the property to get rid of unwanted food or pet odours. It is a good idea to not have pets around on the day of the 'open house'. If there is a pet, get a family member, friend or neighbour to look after the pet for the day.
Interested parties may also open an occasional cupboard or drawer. It may not be possible to have all cupboards and drawers neat and tidy but try to have a couple of strategic ones sorted if possible. The top drawer of a kitchen cupboard and the linen cupboard are two areas that could be considered. People usually like to see how well kitchen drawers open and shut and they are also interested in how big the linen cupboard is.
Finally, the fresh smell of baking in the kitchen gives a lived-in, family-orientated and homely feel to the property. This is a feeling that many buyers may relate to.
Pauline Mascarenhas - Born in Sri Lanka, moved to the UK and now lives in Western Australia. Mortgages and Finance are her area of expertise but loves travel, ...
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