touches, prospective buyers can envision their own belongings in every room and begin mentally placing their own lives in the vacant spaces. Emptying the house could well be a blessing in disguise if the seller is the type of homeowner who has clutter everywhere or a flamboyant taste in decoration. Too much personalization will leave potential buyers unable to picture themselves there, as they will be distracted by the clutter. There are ways to make an empty house feel homey. The impression you want to give is that it is a home eagerly awaiting a new family to start creating memories. You do not want it to look neglected and forlorn, as if it had been abandoned. A house needs to have character to encourage a sale, and there are ways to give a vacant home the appropriate bit of personality.
CLEAN! THEN CLEAN MORE!!
This sounds obvious — cleanliness is next to salesmanship. However, many sellers believe a quick vacuum once they have packed up their stuff is enough to make the place clean. A house must sparkle to the point where it does not appear as if it has ever been lived in. Buyers are looking for a fresh start in their home-buying experience and will turn away from anything that does not meet their “fresh start” expectations. Bear in mind that moving furniture out of the house exposes all floor and wall areas. Maintain a regular cleaning schedule for as long as it takes to sell your property. The buyer will use their sense of smell as much as their sight when viewing the house. Eliminate all pet and food odors. Ensure the place always smells fresh. Keep the home aired out by opening windows every few days and invest in plug-in air fresheners for a longer-lasting effect. Keep the house smelling fresh and well-maintained, rather than musty and deserted.
LANDSCAPING
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