It is important to make certain that the first impression is a favorable one. You'll never have more activity on the property than you will in the first three to four weeks of the listing. The reason is simple: there are buyers out there who have seen everything available and for one reason or another, haven't bought. They are just waiting for something new to come on the market.
When that new property does hit the market, buyers and agents both will scramble to look at it. It is common knowledge that the property will usually sell for the highest price during this time. After the initial surge of interest, the only people to look at it will be those buyers new to the marketplace.
» Make your property look and feel like a builder’s model. Everything should look like it belongs even if it means storing some things until the property is sold. You are trying to create a feeling that makes potential buyers want to make the purchase.
» Don't wait to see if the property will sell first before making repairs or replacing items. Once you do decide to do something, don't do just the easy ones or just the bare minimum.
» The property needs to look good from the street, up the sidewalk, throughout the building, and even in the darkest storage closets. You definitely want to give the impression of a well cared for property.
» You want the prospective buyer to feel that this property is quality all the way through, not just on the surface.
» You are competing with every other property that is currently for sale: new and pre-owned, your area and other areas, those listed with agents and those trying to sell themselves; even with the foreclosures in the market.
» Your property must appeal to owner occupants who will pay the highest price for the property because they are going to use it for their business.
» Typical buyers put all of their savings into the down payment and closing costs and don't have anything left over to improve the property such as replacing old, worn-out things. Those buyers will have to live with that carpet until they can afford to replace it.
» If buyers have a choice of two comparable properties similar in price, they'll choose the one in the best condition. Just as on the other hand, if two properties are similar in condition, the buyers will choose the one that is less money.
» Stand at the street and look at the property. If all you can see are trees and shrubs, you have some landscaping to do. One of the easiest things to do is trim the shrubs that are overgrown. They should be lowered to a height near the bottom of the windows. If there is ivy growing on the side of the building, remove it.
» If there are tree branches hanging low, they need to be pruned. A simple rule of thumb is to have all the limbs high enough so that you can walk under the tree.
» Invest in a few flats of flowers such as petunias or periwinkles that will last the entire growing season. They will add curb appeal.
» Air out the property. You are the last person to notice any peculiar odor in your home that may be blatantly obvious to visitors. Go on a search to find the offender.
» Wash all the windows in the building, inside and out. While you're at it, clean the window sills and the bottom of the window jambs, and wash the blinds.
» If it has been over a year since you've had the carpets cleaned, now is the time to do it. The bare floors should also be waxed or polished, even if they're supposed to be "no wax.”
» Put bright light bulbs in every socket made for a bulb. Buyers like "bright and cheery" so you have to keep it from looking like a dungeon.
» Clean out all of the storage closets, cabinets, and drawers.
» Storage closets should look as they have enough room to hold additional items. Get everything off the floor and don't have the shelves piled to the ceiling.
» Go over the employee kitchen like a health inspector. Clean out the refrigerator and check the seal.
» Sinks should be freshly caulked. All the grout should be clean and in good condition. There are excellent cleaners that will do the job without tons of scrubbing. There should be no leaks in the faucets or traps.
