Wednesday, August 5, 2015

“Drive-Up Appeal”: Get your Property Ready to Show


When preparing your property to show, work your way from the outside in. It is 

essential that your home possess a certain “drive-up appeal.” Remember, a potential

buyer’s first impression of your house is formed while s/he is still sitting in

the realtor’s car. So, first you need to view your house from this perspective. Go stand on the opposite curb and observe your property. Compare it to surrounding properties. 

Concentrate on the following three areas: 


Landscaping:

How does your landscaping measure up compared to the rest of the neighbourhood? If

you guess it would rate below-average, make a few adjustments. You might want to

consider buying some bushes and planting them around the property. Do not buy trees,

however—mature trees are expensive, so you will not see a return on your investment.

And immature trees don’t tend to significantly improve the immediate appearance of your home. If the problem with your yard isn’t a case of too little greenery, but rather too much, get out the pruning shears. The purpose of landscaping is to complement the home, not hide it. Overgrown shrubs should be sheared to a height near the bottom of the windows. Remove any ivy clinging to the side of the house. Tree limbs should be high enough that you’re able to walk beneath. Trim any branches that bar the way.

Your lawn should be freshly cut and watered, and an even colour. If there are brown

spots, make sure you begin to remedy this well in advance of putting the house on the

market. You may want to re-sod areas, and you need to make sure these spots are given enough time to grow, so they will match the existing lawn. Also, if you decide to use fertilizer, you’ll want to allow enough time for it to take effect. Rake up any leaves or

grass cuttings. Planting a few flowers is an easy way to add colour and vibrancy to your yard, enhancing the first impression of your home. Invest in a full flat of mature, colourful flowers, such as petunias or periwinkles, which last the length of the growing season. Do not buy bulbs or seeds—they won’t necessarily grow enough by the time yo

u begin showing to achieve the desired effect. If you don’t have an area in which

to plant flowers, consider purchasing a few flower pots for your porch and planting 
flowers or blooming plants.If you have a pool, keep it sparkling and leaf-free. 


House Exterior:

When you view your house from across the street, does it appear weathered or faded? If so, it’s probably time to treat it to a fresh coat of paint. This is usually a sound

investment; new paint can do wonders to increase a home’s perceived value.

Stay away from unusual or loud colours. The new colour should fit in with surrounding

houses, and complement the style and structure of your house.

Examine the roof closely. Old or leaking roofs should be replaced. If there are leaks,

you’ll have to disclose this detail to the home-buyer anyway, and they will want it

replaced. If there isn’t any apparent damage, however, wait for word from the home

inspector before making repairs.


The Front Door and Porch:
The front door and surrounding area should look particularly fresh and welcoming, as this will be the buyer’s first up-close impression as they enter the house. If you paint nothing else, at least give the door a new coat. Replace the doorbell if it is broken and polish the door fixture until it gleams. Wash the mail box. Keep the porch swept and buy a new plush door mat. All of these little things will contribute to the overall effect of a well cared-for and welcoming home.Ensure the lock works smoothly and the key fits properly. When a home-buyer visits your house, the Realtor will open the front door with a key. You don’t want the buyers’ first experience to be of waiting on the doorstep while the Realtor fumbles with the lock.


I am the GUY that will make a difference! 

I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake.

Karen Guy, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605
O 250.768.8001
http://www.connectwithkaren.com

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Kelowna Real Estate Agent West Kelowna Karen Guy Realtor