Home Enhancement Guide
Home Enhancement Guide
At Coldwell Banker, our goal is not simply to sell your house, but to help you
realize the best price obtainable for your property in the shortest period of
time. To help achieve this goal, we have developed the following Home Enhancement
Guide.
Based on proven marketing techniques, this information guide will introduce
you to practical ideas on how to successfully prepare your house for sale. These
suggestions require a minimum amount of time and expense to complete and are
designed to make your house stand out from the competition.
Your Coldwell Banker Sales Associate is ready to assist you in developing a
home enhancement plan for your property that will take full advantage of the
ideas presented in this Home Enhancement Guide.
The First Impression
You have probably heard how important first impressions can be. But did you
know that within 15 seconds a buyer has already developed an opinion of your
property? This is why establishing the right first impression is critical to
achieving a successful sale. Following is a list of elements that create the
overall first impression, including suggestions on how to make sure the buyer
reacts as favorably as possible.
The Home Front
Your property's landscape is not limited to the lawn and shrubs but encompassing
everything from the street to your doorstep. For this reason, you must make
sure each component of the visual landscape looks its best. The real estate
industry refers to this as "curb appeal."
Street
Make sure the street in front of your house is free of litter or debris. If
necessary, give it a fresh sweep.
Fire Hydrant
Although you do not own the fire hydrant in front of your house, you should
still be concerned about how it looks. If it needs a freshening up, get permission
from your town and paint it.
Sidewalk
Sweep your sidewalk if needed and remove weeds that may be growing between the
cracks.
Fence
A freshly painted fence gives a home a crisp look. You should never let a peeling,
tired-looking fence or squeaky gate stand between a prospective buyer and a
positive first impression.
Mailbox/Light Fixtures
A quick painting of an old mailbox will let the buyer know you care about the
details. If outdoor lamps look rusted and worn out, new ones will cast a positive
light on your property.
Landscaping
Neatly trimmed shrubs are essential. Taking the time to do this costs little,
but has a big impact. Besides being freshly mowed and trimmed, a lawn should
look healthy. If there are spots that look beyond help, a little sod goes a
long way to restoring the look of a well-maintained lawn.
Front Walkway
Like the sidewalk, the walkway should be clean and free of weeds. If sections
are badly cracked, consider having them repaired.
Driveway
There are two elements of the driveway with which you should be concerned. The
first is its surface condition. If stained or otherwise worn-looking, consider
resealing it with a high quality sealer product. Second is the appearance of
the car parked in the driveway. A newly waxed, well-maintained automobile will
make such a different statement about you and your property than an unattractive,
poorly cared for car. If you think your car will be a detriment to the look
of your property, park it down the street.
Paint
A fresh coat of paint can be one of the best investments you can make to increase
the value of your property. If you do not want to spend the money to paint the
entire house, consider just the shutters or the front of the house.
Siding
If you have vinyl or aluminum siding, have a cleaning service wash or repaint
it using a product designed for these materials.
Windows
Attractive windows can help increase the appeal of your property. Replace any
cracked or broken glass. Make sure the windows are sparkling clean. Add shutters
to the front of your house. Install window boxes with bright flowers. Apply
touch-up paint where needed.
Roof
The roof may be the single most important aspect of your home front. A well-maintained
roof will say a lot about the overall condition of the property. Replace any
broken or missing shingles or tiles. Repair flashing where needed. Paint eaves
and fascia boards. If the roof is old and needs to be replaced, consider having
the work done before showing the property.
Gutters and Downspouts
Neat and trim-looking gutters and downspouts make a house look shipshape. Consider
replacing highly visible ones if they are in need of serious repair. If run
off areas are eroded, you can install concrete (or other) "spillways."
Doorway
The doorway is the focal point of your house. Repaint the door. Apply new door
hardware. Install a brass kick plate. Replace house numbers. Put a flower box
or planter alongside the door. Install a new front light fixture.
The Model Home Effect
The best way to make a buyer "feel at home" is to create an environment similar
to that found in a model home. Obviously, you can't recreate the feeling of
a perfect display home without starting from scratch, but there are some valuable
techniques to be learned.
When walking into a model home you will notice several key points. The environment
is neutral. The colors and interior decorating accent the home's features. The
smell is new and clean. The sound is either quiet or enhanced by subtle background
music.
The details are looked after from the manicuring of the lawn to a floral arrangement
in the entry.
Appeal to the Senses
There are many ways to create a more exciting and saleable interior, at surprisingly
little cost. We will briefly discuss the sensory selling tools that can have
enormous impact, then provide you with suggestions on how to improve each room.
Light
It is proven that people react more favorably to property shown under bright
light than dark. The following steps should help you keep your home as bright
as possible.
- Keep windows clean.
- Use adequate wattage in light bulbs.
- Consider replacing older fluorescent lamps, which darken with use.
- Use mirrors to magnify the feeling of light and space.
- Use track lights to create a high-tech look.
- Use light wall colors.
- Open drapes and blinds and turn on lights prior to showings.
Color
A fundamental rule when selling your house is to keep colors neutral and light.
The following are specific suggestions:
- White, beige and gray are the most popular exterior colors.
- Shades of white, off-white and very light pastels are the safest choices
for the interior.
- Avoid highly patterned wallpaper whenever possible.
- Try to limit bright colors to accents like fresh flowers, towels, area
rugs and shower curtains.
Sound
The sounds of peace and quiet are some of the best sounds to have when your
home is being shown to a prospective buyer. But there are other sound considerations
you should also be aware of:
- Avoid barking dogs and noisy children, if possible.
- Also avoid sounds of work like vacuums, dishwashers and lawn mowers.
- Make sure there are no sounds of mechanical problems like banging pipes
or faulty appliances.
- Light classical or instrumental music can be effective in creating a pleasing
atmosphere.
Smell
Smell has more impact than you might expect. It can work for or against you.
The smell of newness is positive. This scent can be achieved by applying a fresh
coat of polyurethane to natural wood or latex paint to walls.
The smell of cleanliness is important to the selling environment of your house.
Beyond actually cleaning, lemon oil or lemon wax can help create a lasting scent
of freshness. Fresh flowers can also be effective.
For a real heart-warming touch, place a dish of vanilla in a warm oven to create
the aroma of fresh-baked cookies or bread. Sweeten the refrigerator with a box
of baking soda. Smells to avoid include strong pet odors, tobacco, and cooking
oil or gas.
Packaging the Interior
Entry
The entry is where the first impression of the interior is created. Here you
have the opportunity to make a big statement in a small area.
Repaint the entry using light, neutral colors. Move a prized antique or attractive
furnishing to the entry, where it will have maximum impact. Install simple chair
rail molding on the wall. Apply a fresh coat of polyurethane to a wood floor.
Tile or linoleum flooring should shine.
Replace plastic switch plate covers with brass or porcelain. A new hall light
fixture can make a great impression. Make sure the room is well lit.
Kitchen
The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the house. It can have a major
impact on the value of your property. If your kitchen needs some real help,
you may want to make extensive improvements. The following is a list of ideas
to increase the appeal of your kitchen without spending a great deal of money.
Make sure the room is virtually spotless and smells fresh. Try putting a quarter
section of a lemon in the disposal and grinding it up. Consider replacing outdated
light fixtures with new track lighting. If your appliances are dated by colors
like harvest gold or avocado, consider having them professionally refinished
in a new color like almond or plain white. This will make appliances look new
at a fraction of the cost of actually replacing them.
Spruce up kitchen cabinets by installing new knobs or hardware. If your cabinets
look especially old, you can have a professional replace the doors or door fronts.
Organize your kitchen cabinets to demonstrate how much room you have. Cabinet
organizers are a good investment for this. Remove small kitchen appliances and
gadgets from countertops to create an uncluttered look. Chipped or damaged countertops
should be repaired or replaced.
If your linoleum floor is badly worn, replace it with neutral no-wax flooring
or tile.
A freshly painted kitchen may be well worth the investment.
Bathroom
The bathroom has become an important selling feature in today's home. It is
a room that has moved from the utilitarian to the exciting. There are many ways
you can improve deficiencies and create interest through various levels of enhancement.
- Place a vase of fresh flowers on the vanity.
- Install a wall telephone for a high-tech look.
- Replace an old toilet seat with an oak one.
- Replace an old light fixture with a new style light strip or make-up light.
- Refinish an old porcelain tub using a porcelain finishing service.
- Place all personal care articles out of sight.
- Freshen the air with lemon scented products.
- Replace an old towel rack with one of brass or oak.
- Add color and richness with new towels and shower curtain.
Living Room
The living room is an area where we do very little living yet it is a major
selling point of a house. Buyers look for elegant and impressive living rooms
to make the right statements to their friends and relatives.
Use mirrors whenever possible to enhance the perception of size. The strategic
placement of a mirror over a mantle or across from a window can make a room
look brighter and larger.
A fireplace is one feature that everyone can appreciate - show it off to its
best advantage. Sweep it clean and make sure the screen is in good condition.
If your house is being shown during the winter, make a cozy, crackling fire.
During warmer months, you can dress up the hearth with fresh indoor plants
or dried flowers.
Use inexpensive accent floor lights to create dramatic visual effects behind
large plants or pieces of furniture.
Use chair rail or cornice molding to create a feeling of elegance.
Professionally clean wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs. Sand and refinish
stained hardwood floors. Clean windows and light fixtures.
Make sure all cosmetic plaster cracks are repaired. (This applies to every
room in the house.)
Use lemon oil on hardwood furniture to create the right look and aroma. Liberal
use of fresh flowers and plants will enhance the environment.
Bedrooms
The bedrooms can do as much to sell your house as they can to turn off a buyer.
Make sure the bedrooms are absolutely spotless. Rugs should be cleaned, windows
washed and fresh smells from flowers or lemon oil should be in the air.
Organize closets to increase their perceived size. Rubberized wire closet
organizers do a great job of helping fully utilize space. Mirrored closet
doors can add dramatically to the feeling of size in any bedroom.
Bedrooms should be well lit. You may want to add track lights in the master
bedroom. A ceiling fan can be an attractive and practical accent to any bedroom.
Basement and Attic
The look of the basement and/or attic can say more about the condition of
your house than you may think. A buyer who sees a meticulously clean and organized
basement and/or attic will have much more confidence in your property than
if it were in a state of disarray.
Paint a bare cement floor oil-based gray. Paint the stairway down to the basement
and the stairway up to the attic.
Clean the boiler of the furnace room as well as the heating plant.
Make sure there are no signs of pest infestation. If needed, call in a pest
control company to remedy the problem before the property is shown.
Hang as many objects as possible on the walls to minimize floor clutter. Clean
and organize your laundry area.
Make sure all lights are working. Eliminate dampness with a dehumidifier.
Garage
A well organized garage says a lot for your house. Keep the garage neat and
organized. Clean up any oil stains from your car. Paint the garage floor oil-based
gray.
Install a garage door opener. Hang gardening tools and loose articles on the
wall.
Hold a garage sale to dispose of unused items that create clutter and may
distract a potential buyer.
Swimming Pool/Spa
The swimming pool or spa should be sparkling clean and in good operating condition.
Repair or replace broken tiles. Patio and concrete decking around pool should
be clean and cracks repaired.
Pool filter and heating equipment area should be cleaned. Replace worn or
broken pool equipment (brushes, hoses, sweeps, pool covers, etc.) If your
pool is stained, you may want to have a professional service drain and acid
wash or refinish the surface.
By showing attention to detail and understanding the buyer's needs to visualize
your house against a neutral backdrop, you can dramatically increase the saleability
of your property.
Your Coldwell Banker Sales Associate will be happy to assist you with recommendations
to help your house sell for the highest price obtainable in the shortest possible
time.
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