74 - Friday, July 10, 1998 - North Shore News

First

mpressions

last with buyers

Minor improvements help your home sell faster

ARE you thinking of selling your
home?
If you're one of the many homcowners who
choose this.time of y year to move; if you're trad-
_ ing up or down or simply relocating, you're
; fee starting to prepare your home for the
je.
Before you become overwhelmed by the
> asks iv’s a good idea to sit down and look at
your, home objectively. An attractive, well-kept
-homce generally has a better chance of selling a
lirtle func Also, the old adage “first impres-

aes sh hayen’t made. su stantial improve-
ment or changes over the years, it’s nota good
dea tu take on major renovation projects sim-

j Hl your home. This can be an expensive
rocedure and there are no guar-
at. you'll b be able to-recover all of your

, soit’s important | to. keep

nd-edged, the
vad .

siding or pavement,
“Bet thése tenis: repaired.

ked

ing the exterior of your home to sprucc it up a
little. And if you have aluminum or vinyl siding
or trim that’s quite dirty, hire someone to clean
it with a power washer if you can’t or don’t
want to wash it yourself.

If you have a garage, make sure the door is
clean, attractive and in good working order.
Also make sure the inside of your garage docs-
n’t look too cluttered or.unorganized.

Keep patios, walkways and decks free of
debris and clutter.

You can do a lot on the inside of your home
as well without spending a great deal of money.
Two primary arcas to keep in mind are the
kitchen and bathroom. These nwo rooms of
your home are generally of prime interest to
potential buyers. Make sure they're clurter-
free, bright and spotless. This applies to
kitchen appliances as well, especially if you're
including them with the sale of the home.

Scrub sinks, toilets, bathtubs and kitchen appli-
ances until they shine. -

If the carpeting in your home looks dirty or
dingy, you may want to rent a steam cleaner, or
hire a professional carpet cleaner.’ Pet odors can
become ‘trapped in rugs ‘and this can. repel

_ prospective buyers.

. Give your home a thorough cleaning and if
you’ve been cooking, ensure you air the home
prior to its showing. Make sure any wood and
tile floors look clean and bright, not dull and

dingy.
Get to those easy-to-miss spots that need a

‘good cleaning. Wash down the walls, windows

‘and woodwork. Clean. out the cupboards
‘under the sink, dust che tops of baseboards and
_ Wash all window coverings.

“The. more extensive the initial clean-up, the
easier’ it‘ will be to keep the house looking its

“best for visits from your realtor and Prospective ;

buyers. © :

_ Appliances
included!

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Priced From Only

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tully fenced and vied landscaped private lots

‘art ho es wired

or the future

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AT RAVENWOODS ' —