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(me) James Wardrope on the left, Dave Snider, Dan Marketing your property
Curb Appeal:
Creation of a good "first" impression starts at the curb. Dollars spent between the street and front door are twice as important as money spent inside the house!
Clean and un-clutter are the words of the day! Outside first and then inside! Getting the buyer from the curb to the door is very important! Inside the house, un-clutter the walls and living space as much as possible. Many buyers have a hard time visualizing what the place would look like with their furnishing.
Un-cluttering will help the buyer more easily visualize the space:
attic, basement, closets and cupboards should be organized. Items not needed should be removed!
organized, well-ordered areas show space is ample, the neater a space larger it will appear!
store extra furniture elsewhere, remaining furniture should be arranged to create a smooth traffic flow!
clear out the garage and make it usable for cars.
Many things can be done to make a house more saleable, depending on the availability of time and money. Even with a tight budget things can be done to help the sale. If you don't have the money to paint the outside, paint the trim. We have a decorator to help you with this process upon signing a "listing agreement"! The evaluation and recommendation service are free! In most cases the purchaser will have particular colors that they want! It is very easy to put too much into fixing a place that cannot be recaptured in the sale price. You should be more concerned with getting the house ready for sale, rather than remodeling for the new owner. If you do paint use light muted colors rather than bright or dark colors. Dark colors make rooms seem smaller. Lighting is very important, replace any dead light bulbs.
Make the house look light and large!
shades, blinds, curtains and drapes should be opened!
increase the wattage of light bulbs if necessary. Dark rooms and corners, closets and hallways look small and uninviting.
Usually items in need of repair, should be repaired! Try to have needed repairs completed before exposing the house to market! A buyer who sees items obviously in need of repair will worry about the existence of needed repairs no so observable. The prospect will be estimating cost of making repairs that obviously need to be made and deducting cost from price they would offer. Most buyers would estimate the cost high!
Bathrooms and Kitchens can help or hinder a sale:
Caulking in bathtubs and showers should be checked and repaired if necessary.
If faucets are dripping, washers should be replaced.
If kitchen makeover is not financially feasible, consider having countertops and cabinets refaced and hardware on drawers and doors replaced! Our decorator can help you with these possibilities!
Roof: If the roof needs minor repair or is leaking and needs replaced it is best to have the work done before marketing! If the roof is merely old but still serviceable it is best to forgo any work.
Plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical utility systems:
Sever problems and minor repairs should be taken care of before marketing!
Problems between these two extremes are usually not recoverable and should be left for the buyer!
If seller cannot afford to undertake repairs, I recommend that you, obtain legitimate bids from contractors to help keep the buyer's estimates of repairs realistic.
Our competitive market analysis will reveal if the property is already comparable to better than average properties in the area. If it is average or better then remodeling is not generally a good investment!
Depersonalize the house:
This lessens the sense of intrusion on owner and may distract some buyers from looking at the house.
Remove personal art work, posters, photos and trophies should be removed: this limits clutter and allows the possible buyer to visualize the premises as it would be used by himself!
Religious displays should be limited as they may distract some buyers or even offend others.
Political items are even worse as automatically 1/2 of the customers will not be like minded!
When the property is shown:
If possible remove pets from premises. It is not possible try to keep them outside or in the garage!
plants should be placed as accents (our decorator will suggest ideas for you!)
If you have fireplace, exhibit it to the best advantage. If it helps the ambience of the room light it!
Create a pleasant fragrance:
Check for pet odors and odors from cigarette smoke. Have litter box placed outside or in the garage! The day before if weather permits open the windows and air the rooms out!
Carpet should be cleaned!
Spread air fresheners throughout the house to remove offensive odors well in advance of the showing!
cinnamon can be warmed in the oven or cookies or bread baked just prior to showing!
If you don't bake you can achieve the same effect by sprinkling a little vanilla extract on a hot stove burner!
Make sure the premises is safe:
clear stairways and walkways
identify any portion of premises that are hazardous: either block them off or place warning notices (e.g., step down, watch for low ceiling, hold on to handrail, etc.
Do not have blaring radio, TV, or music.
Open House: Most agents will discourage having an open house. But I think it is usually a good marketing tool!
Provides exposure for property, and allows agent to meet potential buyers for follow-up. Have a guest register, request that people sign but if they don't it is usually OK!
MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE MARKET YOUR HOME!
Talk to me about buying or selling in Oregon:
James L. Wardrope 541 389 2359541 2
eMail: james@gmail.com 9-2359 Office: 541 480-0212 Fax: 541 317-1642
8th Grade Pic USAF Pic High School "Marauders" Band more info see: BioJAMES
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(me) James Wardrope on the left, Dave Snider, Dan
go to River Inn Elkton web site! Click Here!
Paul Frazer later wrote the song "Amarillo by morning" made famous by George Strait!