Curb Appeal

“Wow, this looks like a great house!” These are the words that we want a buyer to say when they pull up to your house. Curb appeal can affect your number of showings, as many buyers scope out the neighborhoods to look for new real estate signs. This is especially true if a buyer is looking to be in a specific area and wants to catch a listing when the “Just Listed” sign goes out. So take the time to do the important curb appeal, you won’t regret it when the offers come in!

REMEMBER: If you can’t see it, you can’t sell it…

  Trim shrubs and bushes; remove all dead plants and weeds

  Clean up all debris off grass and out of flower beds

  Cut back all branches from roof, chimney and eaves

  Clean out gutters

  Sweep decks, walks and patios and keep clean

  Pressure wash fences and decks

  Paint or repair fences and decks if needed

  After snow melts, rake grass to give fresher look

  Keep the lawn mowed and edged

  Re-seed bare patches of grass and remove pet feces

  Remove pets from property during selling, if possible, to prevent further destruction of grass

  Fertilize flowers and lawn 2-3 weeks prior to putting home on the market

  Add colorful flowers or shrubs (use potted ones if you like so you can take them with you!)

  Mulch flower beds

  Remove lawn ornaments and children’s play sets and toys

  Remove piles of firewood

  Remove moss from walk and roof

  Take down all Christmas lights and Seasonal decorations

  Move all kids toys to corner of yard or somewhere out of sight

  Rake, weed and re-gravel driveway or fix cracks

  Do not remove “Beware of Dog” Signs unless the dog is removed from the property

  Paint garage door and man door if needed

  Is the front door clean and inviting?

  Scrub door of all black marks and mud

  Paint the front door if needed

  Clean all cobwebs and leaves away

  Buy new welcome mat for the front step

  Power wash siding (before the window washer comes!)

  Install new larger and more trendy house numbers

  Install a new kick plate and doorknocker

  Replace the old mailbox

  Clean driveway of dirt, snow, grass, rocks, oil stains…

  Store garbage cans out of sight, and keep them clean

Paint your Exterior

Painting your exteriors the same color as the homes in the newest sub-divisions, is a smart move. This will give it new life that really stands out from your neighbors and make it appear much more inviting.

Painting the exterior will include the trims, siding, garage doors, man doors, window ledges, fencing.

For more information on Preparation for Staging and Selling see www.stageandsell.ca or call us at 780.452.4527 

simply irresistible interiors inc.

Western Canada’s Leading Home Staging Company

Copyright© 2012 by Jill Gargus.