Sales Appeal

Basically, freshness, neatness and good working order are the main keys to top sales appeal. Why tell prospective buyers how your house could look when you can show them? Look at your house as if you were seeing it for the first time and be as critical as buyers will. Open up space, closets, storage as much as possible because openness creates a positive impression with buyers. Repair what strikes you as he least bit shoddy. Your ideal goal is to show the property in "move-in condition" - without a thing to fix. From experience we know that property in poor condition incites low offers.

Showmanship Outdoors

Here are additional ways to improve on and, therefore, increase your properties value to prospective buyers:

1. Generally, improve your house’s "curb appeal", or how your house looks to a buyer from the car parked at the curb.
2. Make your front door and porch attractive. You only get one chance to make a positive first impression.
3. Trim the lawn and shrubs, fertilize and water if needed. Fix cracks and bulges in walks and driveways; also remove oil stains.
4. Replace stray or warped roofing shingles. (Some buyers will bring binoculars to inspect the roof!).
5. Paint siding, windows, shutters, doors, even the mailbox.
6. Straighten sagging gutters.
7. Replace a worn doorbell button. Polish any door brass.
8. Replace a worn doormat. These things say you care about your home, and the doormat will protect floors and carpets.

Showmanship Indoors

Inside your home the following should increase your home’s market value:

1. Clean the kitchen especially, including oven, exhaust hood and inside the dishwasher. Unclutter counters and cabinets. Some buyers will judge the maintenance of the entire house by the cleanliness of the kitchen.
2. Few things increase marketability and give you a better cost return than new paint. Freshen any worn or soiled walls and woodwork with neutral-toned paint or wood polish.
3. Polish wood floors and stairs.
4. Steam clean or replace worn carpet.
5. Repair dripping faucets, crooked drawers, sticking doors. Tighten the hardware, especially doorknobs. Minor flaws in your house suggest neglect to prospects.
6. Repair or replace worn appliances.
7. Clean windows and storms inside and out.
8. Scrub counters, bathroom fixtures and tiles.
9. Clean exterior of water heater and furnace/air conditioner where prospects will be inspecting. The ideal garage holds only cars; have a garage sale or throw out excess.

After you have completed all the necessary repairs, go over you house with a fine-toothed comb before the first prospect arrives. Everything should be sparkling clean inside and out, and in good working order. Clean out the closets and storage spaces. Be ruthless. Put things in their places. Get rid of trash. Let in as much sunlight as possible. Make each room look as roomy as it can. Clear out the garage. Throw out ancient magazines. Clean draperies. Wash windows, woodwork and counter tops. In general, tidy up, open up and un-clutter. When a prospective buyer calls you to make an appointment, allow time to air the rooms; also, bake cookies, bread or simply a pan of cinnamon adds a "homey" aroma; make sure the home is well illuminated, turn off stereos, TVs and radios; keep children out of the way; park all pets outside - many prospects are afraid of or allergic to animals, and you do not want to give a potential buyer a reason not to be able to thoroughly consider your house. In short, get the whole place ready for close inspection.

If a Realtor is 'showing' your home, greet prospects politely and then excuse yourself. Leave the selling to the Realtor. Realtors know what your house has to offer and what these particular buyers are looking for. Realtors also know how to sell. Don’t try to interrupt with suggestions, such as what personal property you might sell, what kind of financing you think would be good for the buyer, etc. Do not apologize for imperfections, but answer all questions put to you briefly and honestly. Do not discuss price or financing with the perspective buyer; refer them to your Realtor.

HOME Kent Jorgenson  Re/Max Kelowna   100-1553 Harvey Ave  Kelowna BC V1Y6G3 1-866-229-2219