Tips for Increasing Your Home’s Appeal

If you’re considering listing your home, remember, this is your chance to make the best first impression possible and charm buyers by creating a wonderful atmosphere as they compare your home to others available on the market. Here are some simple and significant ways to maximize your home’s appeal.

House Exterior 2Create Curb Appeal

  • Keep grass cut, trim trees and remove all toys and clutter from yard.
  • Weed and add mulch to flower beds along with a few seasonal flowers.
  • Power wash your home’s exterior; clean windows inside and out.
  • Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
  • Buy a new welcome mat and keep front porch swept.
  • Place potted flowers near the front door.
  • Make sure the door bell works.
  • Tighten and clean all door handles.

Welcome Buyers with a House they Can Picture as Their New Home

  • Ensure your home remains free of all pet, smoke and cooking smells.
  • Remove furniture that interrupts “the flow” or makes the room appear smaller.
  • Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site.
  • Get the kitchen sparkling clean including stove, oven and fridge.
  • Remove excessive counter clutter.
  • Clean and organize cabinets, closets, drawers and bookshelves.
  • Clean all light fixtures, ceiling fans, mini blinds and window sills.
  • Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks.
  • Shampoo carpets.
  • Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
  • Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
  • Fix or replace tub & shower grout and replace any broken tiles.

Doing that Little Bit Extra

  • Buy new towels for bathrooms and replace shower curtain
  • Buy new bedding for bedrooms and replace old lamps or lampshades.
  • Paint the front door; clean or paint walls and ceilings.
  • Replace worn cabinet doors, cabinet pulls and door knobs.
  • Replace worn countertops.

Formal Dining 04Tips for Showing Your Home at It’s Best

  • DO NOT fry anything while your home is for sale; cooking smells linger for days.
  • Vacate the property while it is being shown.
  • Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime; turn on all the lights.
  • Keep pets secured outdoors.
  • Play quiet background music.
  • Clean out fireplace ashes.
  • Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.
  • Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party.

How it Works

When you buy or sell a home, 25% of Give Realty’s commission is donated to the 501(c)3 nonprofit of the client’s choice. That’s right – YOU choose the recipient. Learn More

Change your address. Change the World.®