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Outside the House
Most real estate advice tells you to work on the interior
of the house first, but unless there is a major project involved,
we believe it is best to do it last.
There are two reasons for this: First, the exterior is more
important at first. A homebuyer’s first impression of
a home is based on his or her reaction to the house from the
real estate agent’s car. The second reason is because
preparing the interior of the house is easier. Looking objectively
at the exterior of your house can help you develop the proper
mindset required for selling, which is beginning to think
of your home as a marketable commodity.
So take a walk across the street and take a good look at
your house. Look at nearby houses, too, and see how yours
compares.
Landscaping
Is your landscaping at least average for the neighborhood?
If it is not, buy a few bushes and plant them. Do not put
in trees. Mature trees are expensive, and you will not get
back your investment. Also, immature trees do not really add
much to the appearance value of the home.
If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers
and plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating
a favorable first impression. Do not buy bulbs or seeds and
plant them. They will not mature fast enough to create the
desired effect and you certainly don’t want a patch of
brown earth for homebuyers to view.
 Your
lawn should be evenly cut, freshly edged, well watered, and
free of brown spots. If there are problems with your lawn,
you should probably take care of them before working on the
inside of your home. This is because certain areas may need
re-sodding, and you want to give it a chance to grow so that
re-sod areas are not immediately apparent. Plus, you might
want to give fertilizer enough time to be effective.
Always rake up loose leaves and grass cuttings.
House Exterior
The big decision is whether to paint or not to paint. When
you look at your house from across the street, does it look
tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is
often a very good investment and really spruces up the appearance
of a house, adding dollars to offers from potential homebuyers.
When choosing a color, it should not be something garish
and unusual, but a color that fits well in your neighborhood.
Of course, the color also depends on the style of your house,
too. For some reason, different shades of yellow seem to illicit
the best response in homebuyers, whether it is in the trim
or the basic color of the house.
As for the roof, if you know your house has an old leaky
roof, replace it. If you do not replace a leaky roof, you
are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want a
new roof, anyway. Otherwise, wait and see what the home inspector
says. Why spend money unnecessarily?
The Front Door & Entryway
 The
front door should be especially sharp, since it is the entryway
into the house. Polish the door fixture so it gleams. If the
door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get that
done.
If you have a cute little plaque or shingle with your family
name on it, remove it. Even if it is just on the mailbox.
You can always put it up again once you move. Get a new plush
door mat, too. This is something else you can take with you
once you move.
Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly.
When a homebuyer comes to visit your home, the agent uses
the key from the lock box to unlock the door. If there is
trouble working the lock while everyone else stands around
twiddling their thumbs, this sends a negative first impression
to prospective homebuyers.
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The Back Yard
The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or
spa, keep it freshly maintained and constantly cleaned.
For those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep
the area clear of "debris." If you have swing
sets or anything elaborate for your kids, it probably
makes more sense to remove them than to leave them in
place. They take up room, and you want your back yard
to appear as spacious as possible, especially in newer
homes where the yards are not as large.
Find out how to fix
up the interior of your home for a sale.
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