Improving Your Abode's Sales Appeal

In a sluggish real estate market the buyer has the advantage because there are so many homes to choose from. If you want to help sell your home, you can gain a competitive edge by making it look more spacious and inviting.

Focus first on removing clutter and personal items. “Remove one-third of everything in cabinets and closets to make your house look like a model home,” says Michele Roark, an interior decorator and home stager in St. Michaels, Md.

To improve your home’s appearance, remove small appliances on kitchen counters. In the bathroom, hide everyday items so surfaces aren’t cluttered. A two-car garage is a must-have feature for many buyers, but if it’s filled to capacity, it’s a turn-off. Clean it out before opening your home to prospective buyers.

Roark helped enhance Cecelia and George Laufert’s Baltimore home by rearranging the furniture. “It was wonderful,” Cecelia says. “She moved a couple pieces of furniture and changed the entire look of the living room. We sold our house in 11 days last June and some houses in our old neighborhood are still on the market.”

When Karen Lawlor of Staging Solutions in Ellicott City, Md., arrives at a client’s house, she goes through a selective decluttering process. “I identify the focal point of the room, like a gorgeous view or stone fireplace, and arrange the furniture to highlight it,” says Lawlor, who recommends renting a storage unit to stash excess furnishings.

In addition to removing clutter, sellers should keep a clean house. Wash windows, clean carpeting, and eliminate pet odors and any other signs of pets. Make small repairs, such as caulking around the bathtub or regluing torn wallpaper.

Don’t overlook the exterior of the home. Power-wash a dirty deck, rake leaves, and clean gutters and downspouts. To a prospective buyer, a manicured lawn, a house with clean siding, a freshly painted front door and a new doormat say: “Welcome to my well-maintained home.”

Story by home improvement writers Katie and Gene Hamilton.

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