| Whether you deal with residential real estate | | | | Roll out the carpet! Lay new carpet, if needed. The |
| investments or commercial ones, here's a fact that's | | | | right carpeting adds warmth and class to a home and |
| often overlooked by sellers-even the most | | | | beats the heck out of bare floorboards in the visual |
| hard-headed buyer will react emotionally to a | | | | sense. If the current carpet is in good shape, have it |
| property upon first sight. You want them to react | | | | cleaned to make it look even better. |
| positively, of course. The last thing you want them | | | | Repair the little things. Make sure you repair the little |
| thinking is, "Lord, what a dog of a property!" | | | | things to enhance exterior and interior curb appeal. |
| Obviously, in that case, your chances of a sale are | | | | When potential buyers find lots of little things wrong, |
| slim at best. | | | | it irritates them no end and that results in the end of |
| The good news is that you can gain maximum curb | | | | your sale. So, replace gutters and rotted wood, fix |
| appeal through a minimum of expenditure (depending | | | | door latches, replace leaky faucets, etc. |
| on the size and nature of the property, of course). | | | | Scape that lawn! Not only make sure the lawn is |
| And that maximum curb appeal can not only result in | | | | mowed and clear of unsightly items, but consider |
| a sale, but a greater profit from the sale. So, the | | | | adding plantings to really improve curb appeal. |
| cost of improving a property's curb appeal is not | | | | Flowers, bushes, etc.-they're a quick and cheap way |
| really a cost at all-it's an investment in more money! | | | | to really add color and beauty to a property. With |
| In this article, I'll look at tasks you can perform to | | | | the right mix of plantings, you appeal not only to the |
| improve the curb appeal of residential properties. I'll | | | | eye but to the olfactory senses of buyers as well. |
| cover commercial property curb appeal in another | | | | Why is this important? The sense of smell is one of |
| article. Residential Properties | | | | the most powerful evokers of emotion there is. |
| Clean, clean and clean again inside and out! Let's face | | | | Pleasant smells = pleasant thoughts = a pleasant sale! |
| it, dirt and grease aren't great sales tools, especially | | | | Consider going on stage! If you don't have the time, |
| for discriminating female buyers. The presence of dirt | | | | but have the resources, consider using an "accredited |
| not only says something about the house; to the | | | | professional home stager" (ASP) to prepare a house |
| buyer, it also says something about you, and what it | | | | for sale. Home stagers work with the "flow" of a |
| says is-"He/she doesn't care so why should I buy the | | | | home. In other words, they eliminate clutter, arrange |
| property? I don't want to deal with a person like | | | | furniture, and help you enhance interior/exterior curb |
| that." So, clean the house (or have it cleaned) top to | | | | appeal overall. Their charges may be on an hourly |
| bottom, inside and out, and get rid of any odors that | | | | basis or a flat fee. An alternative is to get yourself |
| might offend a potential buyer. | | | | certified as a home stager and do the staging |
| Don't paint cheap, paint great!-Instead of going | | | | yourself. You'll save money and add expertise to |
| cheap, buy good paint for the interior and/or exterior. | | | | your resume! |
| It'll last longer and be cheaper in the long run. Plus, it | | | | Best of luck with your curb appeal efforts! |
| looks better and pleases the eye of potential buyers. | | | | |