Most real estate advice tells you to work on
the outside of the house first, but unless there is a major
project involved, we believe it is best to do it last. There are
two main reasons for this. First, the first steps in preparing
the interior of the house are easier. They also help develop the
proper mind set required for selling - beginning to think of
your "home" as a marketable commodity. Second, the exterior is
the most important. A homebuyer’s first impression is based on
his or her view of the house from the real estate agent’s car.
So take a walk across the street and take a good look at your
house. Look at nearby houses, too, and see how yours compares.
Landscaping
Is your landscaping at least average for the neighborhood? If it
is not, buy a few bushes and plant them. Do not put in trees.
Mature trees are expensive, and you will not get back your
investment. Also, immature trees do not really add much to the
appearance
value of the home.
If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers and
plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating a
favorable first impression. Do not buy bulbs or seeds and plant
them. They will not mature fast enough to create the desired
effect and you certainly don’t want a patch of brown earth for
homebuyers to view.
Your lawn should be evenly cut, freshly edged, well watered, and
free of brown spots. If there are problems with your lawn, you
should probably take care of them before working on the inside
of your home. This is because certain areas may need re-soding,
and you want to give it a chance to grow so that re-sod areas
are not immediately apparent. Plus, you might want to give
fertilizer enough time to be effective.
Always rake up loose leaves and grass cuttings.
House Exterior
The big decision is whether to paint or not to paint. When you
look at your house from across the street, does it look tired
and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is often a
very good investment and really spruces up the appearance of a
house, adding dollars to offers from potential homebuyers.
When choosing a color, it should not be something garish and
unusual, but a color that fits well in your neighborhood. Of
course, the color also depends on the style of your house, too.
For some reason, different shades of yellow seem to elicit the
best response in homebuyers, whether it is in the trim or the
basic color of the house.
As for the roof, if you know your house has an old leaky roof,
replace it. If you do not replace a leaky roof, you are going to
have to disclose it and the buyer will want a new roof, anyway.
Otherwise, wait and see what the home inspector says. Why spend
money unnecessarily?
The Back Yard
The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or spa, keep it
freshly maintained and constantly cleaned. For those that have
dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of "debris." If
you have swing sets or anything elaborate for your kids, it
probably makes more sense to remove them than to leave them in
place. They take up room, and you want your back yard to appear
as spacious as possible, especially in newer homes where the
yards are not as large.
The Front Door & Entryway
The front door should be especially sharp, since it is the
entryway into the house. Polish the door fixture so it gleams.
If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get
that done.
If you have a cute little plaque or shingle with your family
name on it, remove it. Even if it is just on the mailbox. You
can always put it up again once you move. Get a new plush door
mat, too. This is something else you can take with you once you
move.
Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly. When
a homebuyer comes to visit your home, the
agent uses the key
from the lock box to unlock the door. If there is trouble
working the lock while everyone else stands around twiddling
their thumbs, this sends a negative first impression to
prospective homebuyers.
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you, not just tell you what they can do.
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