Nothing Beats a Good First Impression

As people start thinking of selling their home they often ask what they need to do get their home ready to sell.  There are many things that a seller can do to help them sell their home but  a good first impression sets the tone for the showing.  

Things to do outside your home include:

Keep your lawn mowed.  Mow it often enough to keep it looking neat.  Fertilize to make your lawn lush and a nice green color. Toss some grass seed on bare spots, it won’t take long to sprout in a sunny area.  If you have trouble with grass due to shade consider using a ground cover like pachysandra or mondo grass to fill in the area.

Cut back overzealous shrubs that obscure windows and let the light shine in. Your shrubs should not be above the lower window sill as they can appear overgrown and it cuts back on how much light you have inside.  Buyers tend to prefer light filled homes over dark homes.  If the shrubs are bare in the middle they are not getting enough light inside them. It is time to replace the shrub or if it's a type that will come back you can trim it!  

Make sure no shrubs or trees are rubbing against the home. These can damage siding or roof shingles.  It also offers a highway for squirrels and other animals who would love access to your nice, dry attic!

Add color to your landscape by planting cheery annuals. Keep flower beds weed-free and a nice layer of fresh mulch makes the beds look tidy.

Remove Vines. Vines growing on the side of the house can actually damage your siding or mortar (between bricks).  If you allow them to remain, keep them looking cultivated and neat, not jungle-wild. Most certainly, pull them off windows.  Vines can be very destructive on a home, growing into any little crack or crevice.

Remove piles of anything from the yard that are unsightly, such as limbs, concrete blocks, flowerpots, and extra bricks.

A fresh coat of paint on doors and shutters can also help make your home stand out.  Remember the sun fades paint over time so even if you painted just a few years ago it might be a good idea to help a buyer see that your home is fresh and well maintained.

One last thing is to take care of any little maintenance tasks.  Make sure gutters have been cleaned out and that there is noting loose and blowing in the wind that could give a buyer the impression that your home is not well maintained.

As always, if you have any questions about this or anything real estate related, give me a call at (703) 475-3986 or visit my web site at www.GreatVirginiaHomes.com.