Maximizing exterior and curb appeal
Before putting your
house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as
possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal. Tips to enhance your
home’s exterior and curb appeal:
· Keep
the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.
· Trim
hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.
· Check
the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
· Inspect
doors and windows for peeling paint.
· Clean
and align gutters.
· Inspect
and clean the chimney.
· Repair
and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
· Repair
and repaint loose siding and caulking.
· In
Northern winters, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice.
· During
spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots,
near your front entrance.
· Re-seal
an asphalt driveway.
· Keep
your garage door closed.
· Store
RVs or old and beaten up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
· Apply
a fresh coat of paint to the front door.
Maximizing interior appeal
Enhance your home’s interior by:
· Giving
every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter.
This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners
with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their
furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
· Hiring
a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the
market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.
· Removing
the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets,
and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a
move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.
· If
necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral
shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be
applied to carpets and linoleum.
· Checking
for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.
· Repairing
cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
· Replacing
broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork.
· Inspecting
and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.
· Repairing
dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to
be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.
· Sprucing
up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet
knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.
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