By Ruben Gonzalez Jr
Prudential California Realty (DBA)
Home sellers today must
convince a new era of buyers returning to the market that their homes
stand for value and quality.
The time-honored open
house event remains a terrific way to expose your property to many
consumers and gain distinction from the competition. While your real
estate professional will advertise and manage the event, it is up to
you to ensure that your home is seen in the best light possible.
Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression, so
approach your open house event as your property’s showcase. Here
are several ways to make your property shine, inside and out.
Start with the outside.
Do a visual check of the front of the house from across the street.
Does your property have curb appeal? It should look inviting, with a
trimmed lawn and flowerbed and a freshly painted front door. Polish
door handles and knockers and replace worn items such as a rusty
doorbell. Consider adding a new doormat and flowering plants at the
entrance. Don’t forget to wash your windows and clean any oil or
rust spots from the driveway.
Be sure to inspect the
side and back yards. Add some flowering plants to the back as well.
Clean and rearrange the outdoor furniture to look inviting. Put away
gardening tools, and tidy around the grill area.
Now focus on the inside
of the home where cleanliness, space, smell and lighting are vital.
First get your house in tip-top condition by cleaning and clearing
away clutter. Steam clean and vacuum the carpet. Make sure your
floors are waxed and shiny. Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the
porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine.
Be conscious of any
lingering odors such as smoke, pets or strong-smelling foods. You may
need to air out your home prior to your open house event. Consider
grinding fresh lemons in the garbage disposal. And don’t forget to
empty all trash containers.
Look at your
countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and the tops of your
bureaus. Do they seem cluttered? Clear away and store as much as
possible. You want your home to seem spacious.
Next, set the mood. Let
your prospective buyers picture your home as their own. Rearrange the
furniture so that rooms look more spacious, or consider removing
furniture and accessories.
Lighting is also
important to creating a desirable atmosphere. Bright lights provide a
cheerful environment and make a small space appear larger. Pull back
all the drapes and open the blinds. Turn on all the lights. Make sure
all light sockets have fresh bulbs. Use softer lights for rooms in
which you want a warm, cozy feeling.
Don’t forget little
touches such as fresh flowers, lighted candles in the bathrooms, new
logs in the fireplace, or a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen
counter. You may even want to set your dining-room table with
color-coordinated table settings.
Home
buying is steeped in emotion. Sellers shouldn’t rely on buyers to
use their imagination; they must capture buyers’ imagination.
Remember that buyers may see seven or eight homes in a single day.
The most memorable home will be the one that seemed the brightest,
the most spacious and the most cheerful.
Ruben Gonzalez can be reached at (562)507-0754 or E-mail.
Prudential (dba) is an
independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate
Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing
Opportunity.
