A home seller typically has one main concern when deciding to put

a property on the market – how to get the best price in the shortest

time frame. Put on your buyer’s shoes when thinking about your home

and don’t underestimate the impact small details can have about the

perceived condition of your home.

A buyer’s first impression begins to develop within 15 seconds after

arriving at your property. Start by building “curb appeal.” Clean up

trash and debris and sweep the sidewalk and front walkway. Remove

weeds growing between cracks. Badly cracked or settled concrete areas

should be repaired. Reseal if you have an asphalt driveway.

In the yard, your lawn should be freshly mowed, trimmed and look healthy.

A little sod can go a long way toward restoring the look of a lawn. Trees

and shrubs should be neatly trimmed and shaped. All tree limbs near or in

contact with the roof should be trimmed. Painting an old mailbox or fence

will let buyers know that you care about details.

A fresh coat of paint to the siding, trim, doors or shutters can be one of the

best investments to increase the value of your home. Powerwashing can

restore aluminum or vinyl siding while removing cobwebs. Clean and adjust

your gutters and downspouts. Make sure all roof drainage is at least 3 feet

from the foundation. Spice up the front door area with new hardware, house

numbers and a planter near the door. Wash the windows and replace any

cracked glass. A clean and well organized garage speaks well of your house.

Install tool hangers and shelves to organize loose articles. Have a garage sale

and dispose of unused items that make your garage look smaller.

Next – Part 2 – The Interior – Make The Buyer Move In