Does Your Home Have Nose Appeal?

This is a truly sensitive subject, but because everybody’s nose is different, what smells good to one person can ward off a potential buyer who thinks otherwise!

The smallest amount of odor can be off-putting to a buyer who steps into your home for the first time. Sometimes the difference between a potential sale and just another visitor begins with vacuuming and mopping your floors. And because clean homes sell faster—usually for their asking price or higher—that means you are able to close and move on quickly.

While you’re at it, we recommend ridding your home of any clutter—put it in storage if necessary— and deep clean your home to eliminate any lingering odors, like those caused by pets and smoke. A professional carpet cleaning will also brighten up your place and help the nose appeal of your home immeasurably! (Let us know if you need a recommendation.)

We are available to help you with many more proven tactics like these, to ensure that your home presents itself in the best way possible. Please call or e-mail me at your earliest convenience, we look forward to hearing from you.

Your Home Is As Unique As You Are

Your home is a unique investment—one that reflects your personal desires. And since you may have lived in your home for some time now, it will undoubtedly have much of your own personality built right into it, as you’ve redecorated and maybe even remodeled it to suit your style.

In this market, homes like yours are a valuable commodity. We are certain that a buyer is out there who is prepared to pay the highest price the market will bear. Our job is to find that “just right buyer” and show them the inherent value of your real estate investment.

We would welcome the opportunity to schedule some time with you to plan how we can make sure that you get top dollar for your beautiful home. Please call us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you.

Preparing Your Home for a Showing

Fully preparing your home for sale can make considerable difference in the time it takes to sell it. You can help eliminate buyer objections before they arise by making necessary repairs and improvements, some of which are suggested below.

Outdoors
__ Spruce up gardens and lawn; trim shrubbery and replace dead plants.
__ Yard and patio should be neat; outdoor furniture should be clean and in good shape.
__ Clean or paint your front door - remember first impressions last longest!
__ Manicure your front yard, driveway and entry - you can’t sell what you can’t see.

Exterior
__ Check that door numbers, mailbox, and exterior lighting are all in good repair.
__ Touch up with fresh paint as needed.
__ Inspect chimney for cracks or earthquake damage.
__ Repair loose trim, drainpipes and fencing.
__ Clean stains; clean window screens.

Garage
__ Remove clutter; tidy up shelves.
__ Wash floor so it looks clean and spacious.

Living Areas
__ Apply fresh paint as needed…brighten your interiors with neutral-toned paint.
__ Clean draperies and carpets.
__ Replace burned out light bulbs.
__ Clean fireplace, remove smoke stains from wall and mantle.

Kitchen
__ Sinks, appliances and counter tops should sparkle without any clutter.
__ Wax the floor.
__ Clean oven, range and other appliances.
__ Clean tile and grout; replace if necessary.

Bathrooms
__ Clean mirrors, glass, chrome and porcelain surfaces.
__ Replace shower curtain if necessary.
__ Fix any faucet drips or leaks.
__ Clean tile, grout and caulking; replace if necessary.

Closets
__ Doors and drawers should open and close easily.
__ Remove clutter; tidy up shelves and racks.
__ Shoes and clothes should be neatly arranged.

Overall
__ Check the basics around the house. It takes just a minute to check all doors, windows and cabinets to make sure they don’t stick, squeak or are too loose.
__ Clean your furnace & water heater, so buyers know they are looking at a house that has been well maintained.

For more information please contact The Clarke Team at 650-489-5399 or sold@clarketeam.com

Getting Prepared to Sell Your Home

One of the great challenges to selling a home can be showing all of its space, decor and natural light potential. For example, every home has crowded closets and dead space. Sellers should be aware that areas such as these are easy to spruce-up with a little elbow grease and old-fashioned innovation.

Begin by evaluating your closet/storage space, determine which areas can cut-down in clutter. Go through old clothes, shoes, etc., and get rid of anything that will not be used and in turn create more space. Consider organizing shelves and other areas to make better use of your storage space, including your garage and basement. Also, try to throw out or give away any old furniture that is no longer of use. All of the discarded items can be given to Good Will, Salvation Army or even sold at a yard sale.

Although most sellers keep their homes clean and well-decorated, it can be difficult to convince a buyer of a home's potential when clutter is noticeable. As agents, it's our responsibility to offer any tips that will expedite the sale and make the experience more enjoyable for the seller.

Once you've eliminated the unwanted items and furniture, begin the 'renovation' process. For non-storage spaces that could use a little more decor, consider adding a small bookshelf complemented with a cozy reading chair. Always be sure you're filtering as much light into your property as possible. Open or replace curtains. For example, light from a window overlooking the backyard offers a room more color, a great view and the illusion of more space.

Always maximize the potential of existing decor; wash old curtains, re-stain old wood casings, anything that refreshes and emphasizes all the potential of the space and decor of the home.

Prospective buyers are often more drawn to homes with features that they don't have, those with clutter-free closets, open sunny rooms, and cozy little corners. To ensure you've realized all of the above characteristics the last step should be to bring in a friend and observe their reaction. Make sure it's an honest friend, who will offer suggestions as well as notice the improvements. Seeing your own home through someone else's eyes is a great way to make a home optimally attractive and more sellable to prospective buyers.

Be diligent in your efforts and be sure the renovations improve the aesthetic appeal of the home. All the hard work will be worth the reward of a successful sale.

If you have questions, or would like more information on selling your San Carlos home, please do not hesitate to contact us!