Wednesday, April 04, 2012

You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

You never get a second chance to make a first impression!  This is true personally and it is especially true of the property you'd like to sell!  People don't want to stare at another person for too long; but they'll sure stare at a property.

We all get used to our "stuff" around our homes.  But, just as an experiment, pretend you've never been to your home before and note the following.

When you pull up, is the yard in good shape?  Is there peeling paint or junk piled anywhere?  When you approach the door, is the screen in good shape?  Are there cobwebs in the carport corners?  Is the door clean?  Is the outdoor light free of bugs and goo?  Is there a great deal of visual clutter masquerading as art?

When you walk in, does it smell fresh?  Does it look clean?  Are there ten million knick knacks that could only appeal to the mother of the artist?  Are the bedspreads and linens clean?  Are the kitchen and bathrooms shiny and bright?  Are the dog toys put away?  Are the dogs put away?  Is the cat litter out of sight and fresh?  Does your bird swear?  (You think I jest...but that's another story!)  Can anyone smell cigarette smoke or curry and other cooking odors that cling?  Do you have several heads of dead creatures staring at the prospective buyer?  Do you have nude posters in the teen's room?  Do you have nude, pregnant photos all over the master bedroom?

Do you have anyone sleeping on the couch?  Is the lump on the bed a teen under cover?  Do you have the t.v. blasting out Stomping Tom music?  Can you see through your windows?  Are the blinds or curtains all in one piece and operational?  Are there flags hanging in any windows?  

How about the back yard and deck?  Are there dog deposits handy?  How about piles of recyclables and empty beer bottles?  Do you have a "garden" of wine corks?  Is the playhouse a safety nightmare?  Is the fence standing in the same direction all around? 

I could go on; but you catch my drift.  Go on a tour.  Be brutal with your self critique! 

Believe me when I tell you this could add thousands of dollars to yours sale price and you haven't even had to buy one can of paint!

2 comments:

Okanaganstager said...

Love this posting Beth...it makes me love what I do because I've seen it all and then some!

Poems and stories beth mccarthy marks said...

Oh,you more than anyone has seen the whole range! We're lucky you can help!!