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The Importance of Curb Appeal
A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house based on its curb appeal or exterior appearance. What they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing sets an immediate impression and often determines if they want to come inside
First, You Have to Get Detached: We are all proud of our homes’ but when you are getting ready to sell it, you must detach yourself from the personal feelings and realize this is purely a business transaction. Try to look at our own house in the same way that potential home buyers do. Be able to be objective or ask for and accept criticism from others on potential red flags or issues.
Curb Appeal Exercise: The next time you come home, stop across the street or far enough down the driveway to get a good view of the house and its surroundings.
- What is your first impression of the house and yard area?
- What are the best exterior features of the house or lot? How can you enhance them?
- What are the worst exterior features of the house or lot? How can you minimize or improve them?
- Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around you as if it were your first visit. Is the path clean and tidy?
- Start making a list of your positive and negative feelings about the property's appearance.
- Take photos of the home's exterior. If you have a digital camera, view the color versions first, then switch the photos to greyscale, because it's easier to see problems when color isn't present to affect our senses.
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Evening Appeal is Important: Do the curb appeal exercise again at dusk or just after dark, because it's not unusual for potential buyers to drive by houses in the evening.
Lighting is Always a Plus: String low voltage lighting along your drive way, sidewalks, and around landscaping elements.
- Add a decorative street lamp or an attractive light fixture to a front porch.
- Solar versions of outdoor lights are quick and easy to install, but only work when they receive full sun each day.
- Lighting that's visible through front windows should enhance the home's appearance.
Don't Forget the Rear View
Buyers doing a drive by will try their best to see your back yard. If it's visible from another street or from someone's driveway, it should be addressed as well.
Curb Appeal Starters
- Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
- Pressure wash siding and decks.
- Keep sidewalks and driveways clean.
- Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
- Clean the windows and gutters.
- Mow the lawn regularly. Get rid of weeds.
- Rake and dispose of leaves, even if your lot is wooded.
- Edge sidewalks.
- Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the roof.
- If you can budget it, a fresh paint job does wonders.
- A more attractive front door...or replace doorknob hardware...or repaint /stain the door and polish the hardware?
Small Improvements That Sell
Paint inside and out: Fresh paint is the most cost-effective and profitable improvement you can make, even if your home doesn't need a new coat. Paint the interior walls a neutral color and the ceilings white to make rooms look bigger.
New lights: Replace outdated fixtures. This inexpensive improvement can update old decor that might have discouraged buyers.
New flooring:Install new carpet, linoleum, or tile, and refurbish hardwood floors if needed. Choose a neutral color for new carpeting. New flooring will increase the market value of your home, while shabby floors can kill a sale.
Planted landscape: Attractive front and back yards boost the value of any property. Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and plant new bedding flowers. Plant some trees if the yard is barren, especially in the front parkway. Sweep the patio or deck and decorate with potted plants and flowers.
Completed repairs: Before listing your home for sale, make all minor repairs and catch up on maintenance. If you've deferred maintenance, get a professional home inspection. If the inspection reveals problems, make the repairs before listing the home. If you don't, the buyer will probably discount the offer price for more than the cost of repairs or replacement.
A clean garage: If you use your garage for storage, clean it out and rent a storage space. Paint the interior white. If your garage is unfinished, install wallboard or build storage shelves on the back wall. A clean garage will help solidify a buyer's
Preparing Your Home For Sale
As your agent, Orlando Classic Homes will do a pre-sale walk-through and provide you with advice and suggestions before we determine when to list the home and for how much we should ask for.Budget enough time and resources for improvements. Keep it simple so that you can keep it up, especially if it's likely your home will be on the market for a number of weeks. Use a checklist to keep track of what you need to do. Boost Your Sale Proceeds. To get the best possible price for your home, consider the following:
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Must Do
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Might Do
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Don't Bother Doing
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Keep it clean: If nothing else, a clean home is essential and clutter is at a bare minimum.
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Store your belongings: Put personal belongings into clearly labeled boxes, and store them neatly on-site or in an off-site storage facility.
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Install shelves or closet organizers: Don’t invest unless your agent feels it will they will significantly improve its marketability
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Freshen a room's decor: Consider a coat of paint or new floor coverings if a prominent room shows signs of wear or is very outdated, (in that room only).
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Refinish wood floors: You may want to pull up the rug and refinish the wood floors under old carpeting in one room to show buyers the quality of the floors.
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Paint and carpet entire house: unless it's absolutely necessary, it is too big a project that may not result in a significantly higher price.
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Make necessary repairs: Make sure outlets work, toilets flush, and windows and doors open and shut smoothly. All heating, air conditioning, and other home systems should work, too.
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Do extra maintenance: Consider re-staining your deck or cleaning your gutters. Such projects give your property a well-cared-for appearance.
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Make major improvements: Now is not the time to put on a deck or build a fence. While these projects can add value, you are not likely to boost your home's value enough to justify the expense
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Increase curb appeal: Make your home look as inviting as possible to the drive-by buyer by tidying up landscaping, plant fresh flowers, and up-keeping lawn, etc.
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Intensify your entryway: Paint your front door and put on new hardware, or replace it altogether if it is old. Buy a new welcome mat.
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Put in a new driveway or sidewalk: Unless these items are crumbling and will significantly lower your curb appeal, this is a major investment that probably won't pay off.
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