1. How do you entice a buyer to get beyond the driveway to the front door?
2. What is most likely to put off potential buyers when they enter a property?
3. Ask yourself; if you were buying your home, what is it you see when you enter the property?
4. How do you visualize your hallway or entryway?
5. How can you stretch the already stretched budget?
Let's give your hallway and porch a make-over.
1. You have heard of the term 'Curb Appeal'? That is what you have to do! You can do this with minimum expenditure. Trim back any over- hanging trees and shrubs. Make sure that you can see the front of the house (including the house number) from the driveway and it is not hidden by an overgrown garden. Remove any weeds from the front of the house, pay special attention to the garden path that leads to the house. You could also think about adding solar lights to light the way to your home. Repair any steps that lead to the house. Get out the paint brush and spruce up the paintwork! Make sure the front porch light works, better still change it for a modern look. Next: what shape is your front door in? With a little 'elbow grease' a coat of paint and new hardware, you can transform your front door. Add a plant, flower tub or outdoor chair if you have the room on your front porch. This will make the front of your home very inviting to prospective buyers.
2. When you open that door, what do you NOT want to see? Clutter, untidiness, a dirty entrance, broken light fittings, chipped paintwork and torn or stained carpet or flooring. These are definite 'put offs' for a potential buyer. In fact to be quite honest I wouldn't want to go any further into the property if this is what I was faced with.
3. What is the opposite of the above? A clean hallway, smelling fragrant. Attention to detail! Less is more here. Make your hallway appear larger by adding a wall mirror. A feature for the Hallway would be an eye- popping light fitting, it does not have to be Swarovski crystal, but make sure its size is proportionate to the height of the hallway and avoid the brass color. If you have the space invest in a console table preferably with a couple of drawers where keys and mail can be stored out of sight. Keep wall art to a minimum. Make sure coats, shoes and boots are kept out of sight in a closet. If you can't afford to replace a hall and stair carpet there are other options. If you have a floor boards consider sanding them, finish with stain and varnish. Alternatively, paint them. You can always add a decorate rug! On the stairs the same applies. You can look for a remnant piece of carpet that you can use as a carpet runner. Make sure it does not fray at the end. Paint the sides of the stairs and the carpet will 'run' down the centre. You can then match up the stairs and the hallway.
4. Look at the space you have. This is important as you do not want to overfill the space you have. If there is room for a plant or a chair with a decorative cushion, these are things buyers like to see. It's all in the detail. You want to create a welcoming atmosphere. De-personalise! Which means remove all those family photographs from the stair-well. Keep your entrance fresh-looking; therefore choose your color palette carefully. Clean your windows! See point 3 for ideas.
5. The budget. Once you have estimated what needs to be replaced or painted. The remainder of the budget can be spent on accessories. Look for closeouts, shop for fabric remnants that you could use to recover a chair or make cushions. Fresh flowers make a difference and look inviting. Pay attention to the flowers and plants, make sure they are healthy and fresh, trim dead leaves and flower stalks, and don't forget to change the water the flowers sit in. Good idea not to use a clear vase. You can paint a vase too with a small pot of specialist paint. Be creative!
If you choose a potted plant, make sure it is potted correctly, add more plants, and layer according to height. Jazz up the pot by painting, stenciling, or cementing broken tiles to the pot.
A little imagination goes a long way.
Remember, keep it fresh, keep it clean and less is more. Pay attention to detail.
My name is Geraldine Looker.
Geraldine Looker. That is not my name for nothing! I live up to my name by making it a point to look, to notice the things that go on around me. I am a people watcher. I adore following fashion trends, but more importantly developing my own style. I have a passion for home decor and interior fashion too. I love life, its challenges and surprises. I invite you to share my blog. Let me inspire you.
http://www.stylebyladyg.wordpress.com/
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