Steps to a Positive Showing
This page describes the key steps to making for a positive showing of your property.
You only get one opportunity to make a good first impression, so you want to make it count. By following these guidelines, you’ll enhance the attractiveness of your property and reduce the time it
takes to generate serious offers.
First Impressions
How your property appears from the outside is
important. To make a good first impression on
a buyer, a clean driveway, a freshly mown
lawn or a trimmed hedge will work wonders.
Do a critical inspection of the exterior of your
property, paying special attention to the
condition of your windows, shutters, screens
and gutters. One of the first things a buyer will
notice is the need for painting. If your property
looks like it needs painting, many buyers will
form an unfavorable impression. Elsewhere,
little things count. Make sure the front door is
spotless, including the doorknob, and that the
windows gleam.
Cleanliness Counts
Once inside your property, one of the key
factors that influences its appeal to a buyer is
cleanliness. Most important is front hallway,
the kitchen and the bathrooms. Do a
room-by-room cleaning, and don’t forget any
out-of-sight areas because that’s often where a
discriminating buyer will look first.
The state of the carpets can also be a
determining factor. At the very least, have
your carpets cleaned, and if they are worn, it’s
wise to replace them, or remove them if there
is hardwood underneath.
Less is More
Clutter makes a poor impression. In closets,
cabinets, kitchen countertops and other storage
areas like basements, remove anything not needed
for daily housekeeping. To make each room in
your property look larger, get rid of or donate
unnecessary furniture. Walk through your property
and think: “Less is more.”
Repairs
Make sure everything is in good working order.
Dripping faucets, squeaky steps and loose
doorknobs can easily create a bad impression and
reduce the value of your property. A few hours
spent on repairs, whether by yourself or a
tradesman, can pay big dividends when an offer is
made.
Little Things Count
It’s easy to improve the appearance of any room.
You may want to replace worn rugs or small
pillows, put new towels in the bathroom or
brighten up a room with a vase of flowers.
Pull Together
Get all the members of your household to pull
together when it comes to getting – and keeping –
your property ready to view. By getting everyone
into the habit of spending a few minutes tidying up
every morning for an afternoon showing, you
improve your chances considerably.
See CMA
Information is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon with verification
