Changes to Make Your Home Stand Out
Here are some fast, inexpensive changes that should make your home stand out among similarly-priced homes in your neighborhood.
Home Exterior
It begins with the exterior! Your yard, and the exterior of your house, is the first impression that potential buyers have of your home.
Yard
Keep your lawn neat and well trimmed, with well-proportioned shrubs. Consider replanting flowers or creating a flowerbed to enhance the appearance of your yard. If it is the fall, make sure the lawn is raked at all times. And in the wintertime, clear snow from your driveway and walkways.
The Front Door
Make sure your door is tightly on its hinges! Furthermore, the door should be neat and clean. Paint it if it needs it. If the door is in poor shape, consider replacing it. Finally, a holiday ornament on the door, like a wreath, ads a nice touch. Consider adding an inviting "welcome mat".
Access
The lock box and flexible showing times are crucial to your home's exposure factor and getting potential buyers and their agents through the door.
Home Exterior
Check for flat-fitting roof shingles, straight lines on gutters, shutters, windows, and siding; solid caulking around roofs and seams. Apply fresh paint where it needs it. Also, make sure the windows are crystal clear; potential buyers often peer through the windows.
Home Interior
The interior of your home can also be refreshed to improve the potential buyer's first impressions.
Lights
During the evening, or whenever you have potential buyers in the home, make sure ALL of the lights are on. This makes rooms look more inviting and spacious. Also, make sure curtains are always up to let as much sunlight in as possible.
Smell
I recommend using a vanilla air freshener that applies directly to your air filter. This gives your home that "new model home" aroma.
Paint & Carpeting
If you plan to compete with other comparable homes on the market, these 2 improvements will definitely make a stronger impact. Remember to keep neutral color tones throughout in order to increase the overall appeal.
Remove Excess Furniture
Remove as much furniture as possible. This can make your rooms look dramatically larger.
The Living Room
Strive for lived-in, cozy feeling. Discard worn, chipped, frayed furniture. Add lamps if it is dark. Open curtains. Set out fresh flowers.
The Kitchen
Many buyers judge the house keeping by the oven and stove. Appliances should be spotless and everything works perfectly. Replace or repair anything that sticks, squeaks or drips. Clear clutter from countertops.
The Master Bedroom
This is the second-most appealing room to a buyer (after the kitchen). Remove excess furniture to make it appear larger. Show the true size of the closets by removing or packing items that can be stored elsewhere.
Bathrooms
Make sure bathrooms are always neat and clean. Remove clutter from sink countertops. Make sure showers are free of scum and tile grout in good shape. Most buyers pay close attention to this!
Basement / Garage
If possible, make the basement look like a "living area", or the garage a "finished" area with storage, workout equipment, or workshop. Clear out as much clutter as possible (consider moving it into storage).
| 
