Making a GREAT First Impression

In today’s age of consumerism, every buyer is comparative shopping. Making a minimal investment in time, money, and effort in your home will often provide a solid advantage over competing properties. Pay attention to detail now because first impressions are everything with buyers. Your home has one chance at "love at first sight" and it starts at the curb.

EXTERIOR APPEARANCE

• Keep lawns cut - A uncut lawn will make a buyer feel there are other things about the home that are also neglected which could lead to not wanting to see the home.
• Trim hedges and shrubs - As with the lawn, this affects the curb appeal when left neglected.
• Weed and edge gardens - What is the point of having a garden if it doesn't add beauty to the home and yard?  Freshen up the plants by taking off any dead leaves and flowers, weed & edge the area, and add some fresh mulch to add a new fresh feel to the garden.
• Clear driveway and clean up oil spills - Make sure the driveway is always clear of toys, bikes, trash cans, and other items. If there is oil on the driveway, clean it with some solvent from an auto store and then wash it so it is clean of all spills.
• Clean out the garage - The garage should be viewed as a garage to be able to put a car in, not a storage shed. When a buyer sees that the garage is used for storage they will assume the home is too small and lacks storage. It will also free up your driveway making curb appeal better if the car is in the garage and the garage door is closed.
• Touch-up paint - If the exterior of your home, garage, or any other outbuilding is in need of paint or repair, do it before the home goes on the market. Again, first impressions are everything! 

 MAINTENANCE

• Repair leaking taps and toilets - If not when a buyer is looking at the home for the first time, when they choose to purchase and have an inspector check out the home, these little things will be brought up and asked to be repaired.  Addressing now is better than later.
• Clean the HVAC and filters - Doing this should be part of a monthly/annual maintenance plan to help maintain the life of these expensive items, but also shows you are concerned with their care.
• Tighten door knobs and latches - Double-check interior and exterior knobs and latches so that they are in good working order.
• Repair drywall - If your home has drywall in need of repair, you may want to consult an expert to have it professionally repaired.
• Clean and repair windows - Make sure all windows are clean and replace cracked or broken glass. If you have slider windows make sure the tracks are clean and oiled so that they slide easily. 
• Repair seals around tubs and basins - If this is needed, you can purchase caulking and replace/repair where needed.
• Replace inoperable light bulbs (and bulbs that are not bright enough for areas that get little natural light) - If the home is shown when lights are needed, you want to make sure all bulbs are in working order. Bathrooms and other smaller areas need to be well-lit. It is also important to make sure all lights are working when the home inspector comes.
• Oil squeaking doors - Check all the doors in the home, including the closets for any squeaking that there might be, and give the squeaky ones a spritz of WD-40.
• Repair squeaking floorboards - Repairing squeaking floorboards can be difficult depending on the floor coverings. If you do not want to attempt it yourself, we suggest you call a professional flooring company.

SQUEAKY CLEAN

• Clean and freshen the kitchen and bathrooms - These are two rooms that buyers will typically pay the most attention to and when they're clean and bright, they will make a great first impression.
• Clean fridge and stove (in and out) - Even if the appliances are not included in the sale, they should be clean and in perfect working order. Odors come from a dirty stove or fridge and can leave a poor first impression and can also send the wrong message to buyers and make them question how well the rest of the home was cared for. 

CREATE SPACE

• Clear halls and stairs of clutter - Halls and stairs that are blocked by clutter will cause the buyer to feel the areas are small and may not be comfortable walking over items to get to another area of the home. They also present a safety issue.
• Store surplus furniture - This will make the rooms seem more spacious. Try not to store these items elsewhere in the home, garage, or basement. Renting a storage unit for unused items is worth the investment. If these are not items you plan on moving, you may want to consider having a garage sale before it goes on the market.
• Clear kitchen counter and stovetop of any clutter - Buyers want to have a kitchen that feels spacious and appears clean and fresh. The stove top should never have items piled on it (or in it!). It not only looks like there is no counter space but also presents a safety issue.
• Remove empty boxes and containers - These items should also be placed in a storage unit until ready to use.

AT THE FRONT DOOR

• Clean porch and foyer - This is the first thing the buyer will see when entering your home. Make sure the porch is free of clutter and swept clean of dirt, and (if you are in a snow or ice climate make sure it is shoveled and salted). The foyer should be clean and is a good location for a small table with fresh flowers if there is room.
• Ensure the doorbell is in working order - You will want to test your doorbell and make sure it is working so you can hear it ring when a REALTOR comes to the door with their buyers.
• Repair/replace all torn screens - All screens should be repaired before the home is on the market. Screens help bring the outside indoors and many buyers want to be able to open windows and doors when the weather is nice.
• Fresh paint or varnish front door - The front door is always the door to have a prospective buyer come in. It should have an inviting and fresh look to it, and a fun new color can really amp up the curb appeal!
• Repair door locks and key access - Like the front door, this is what the buyer will see when entering the home. If the door locks and hardware are not in good condition they should be replaced. Make sure the key works easily in the lock to facilitate smooth showings.