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Dress Your Home For Success
Vail Daily, June 15, 1994
by Karen Wilhelm

Spring and summer are the times when many local residents and second home owners alike are selling or considering selling their property. If you are considering such an action, now or in the next few months, you need to read on.

There are many helpful hints that, if implemented, will make your home more appealing to prospective buyers and help to yield top dollar for your property. Below is a composite of such hints that you may be able to incorporate in your marketing plans, often with little effort or expense.

First impressions do make a difference.

The addage that you onlu have one opportunity to make a first impression is also true of your home. Just as "who you are" is determined initially by your outward appearance - your dress, neatness and cleanliness - so, too, is your property.

Curb appeal - Many prospective buyers will not get out of the car, if the exterior of your home is not attractive.
  • Remove clutter, trash or unnecessary items from around the outside of your home.
  • Clean or paint your front door and/or deck.
  • Flower pots or accents make a cheery welcome to your home.
Interior entrance and rooms
  • This should be clean and uncluttered with as much light as possible, wash or paint entrance halls.
  • Very soft and mellow background music is often a nice first impression.
  • Leave window coverings open or remove all together when possible/appropriate, to allow light to come in and take advantage of lovely views.
  • Leave lights on when you know your home will be shown, so buyers do walk into dark rooms.
Create space
  • Remove as much furniture as practicable. It creates a feeling of spaciousness.
  • Organize closets and pack away any unnecessary items.
  • Garages should be cleaned and storage items neatly stacked.
  • Keep kitchen and bathroom counters and dressers clear of clutter.
  • If your home is being shown without furniture, consider "staging" your home by adding a few warm touches such as fluffy towels in the bath, a few baskets with potpourri, etc.
Clean, clean, clean - A neat and clean appearance is probably the number one most important impression to buyers and the easiest and least expensive enhancement for sellers.
  • Consider hiring a professional cleaning service.
  • Kitchens and bathrooms especially should sparkle.
  • Clean walls and paint if necessary.
  • Be sensitive to home odors:
    • Remove pet odors through carpet cleaning, carpet deodorizing, airing the home out and keeping sandboxes, etc. cleaned often and put in the garage or basement.
    • Keep the trash and garbage disposal empty so odors do not accumulate.
    • Consider having the carpets professionally cleaned. They will smell and look newer and better.
    • Use fresh flowers when possible to add freshness and fragrance to your home, if fresh is not possible, dried floral arrangements give a similar accent.
Repairs
  • Paint - Painting is one of the least expensive improvements you can make with one of the greates returns in terms of impression and ultimate sales price.
  • Make sure things work.
  • Make sure burned-out light bulbs are replaced.
Be considerate of potential buyers
  • Leave your home while your home is being shown. They will feel more comfortable, take more time, ask more questions and provide the real estate agent with better feedback for you.
  • Also, remove pets, put in containers or in the garage during the showing. Some people are afraid of pets, others just do not like them.
  • Share information with serious buyers such as past utility bills, property surveys and owner disclosure statements.
Buyers will add value to your home and be less apt to suspect problems if they think it has been well cared for.

Touring model homes gives sellers ideas for the types of amenities that home buyers want and of market trends. Also, ideas for accents that can add warmth and charm to your home can be gleaned from publications such as Better Homes & Gardens.

And finally, seek advice from your real estate professional. They have worked with many buyers and sellers with many different properties. They are happy to share their wealth of experience as to what is important to buyers. They typically have a long list of capable service providers that can save you hours of investigation.

Karen Wilhelm, MBA, CRS, GRI is a REALTOR and a Broker for
Prudential Gore Range Properties, Inc., 511 Lionshead Mall, Vail CO 81657
Website: www.Vail-BeaverCreek.com
Email: wilhelm@Vail-BeaverCreek.com.

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