If your home is a landed property, bear in mind that the property's landscape is not limited to the lawn and shrubs but encompasses everything from the street to your doorstep. For this reason, you must make sure each component of the visual landscape looks its best. The real estate industry refers to this as “curb appeal.”

Street / Corridor
Make sure the street or corridor in front of your house is free of liter or debris. Although you do not own them, you should still be concerned about how it looks.

Sidewalk
Sweep your sidewalk if need be and remove weeds that may be growing between the cracks.

Fence
A freshly painted fence gives a home a crisp look. Never let a peeling, tired-looking fence or squeaky gate stand between a prospective buyer and a positive first impression.

Mailbox / Light Fixtures
A quick painting of an old mailbox will let the buyer know you care about the details. If outdoor lamps look rusty and worn out, new ones will cast a positive light on your property.

Landscaping
Neatly trimmed shrubs are essential. Taking the time to do this costs little, but has a big impact. Besides being freshly mowed and trimmed, a lawn should look healthy. If there are spots that look beyond help, a little sod goes a long way to restoring the look of a well-maintained lawn.

Front Walkway
Like the sidewalk, the walkway should be clean and free of weeds. If sections are badly cracked, consider having them repaired.

Driveway
There are two elements of the driveway with which you should be concerned. The first is its surface condition. If stained or otherwise worn-looking, consider resealing it with a high quality sealer product. Second is the appearance of the car parked in the driveway. A newly-waxed, well-maintained automobile will make a much different state­ment about you and your property than an unattractive, poorly cared for car. If you think your car will be detrimental to the look of your property, park it elsewhere.

Paint
A fresh coat of paint can be one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your property. If you do not want to spend the money to paint the entire house, consider just the front of the house.

Siding
If you have vinyl or aluminum siding, have a cleaning service wash or repaint it using a product designed for these materials.

Windows
Attractive windows can help increase the appeal of your property.

1. Replace any cracked or broken glass.
2. Make sure the windows are sparkling clean.
3. Apply touch-up paint where needed.

Roof
The roof may be the single most important aspect of your home front. A well maintained roof will say a lot about the overall condition of the property.

1. Replace any broken or missing shingles or tiles
2. Repair flashing where needed.
3. Paint eaves and fascia boards.
4. If roof is old and needs to be replaced, consider having the work done before showing the property.

Gutters / Downspouts
Neat and trim-looking gutters and downspouts make a house look organized. Consider replacing highly visible ones if they are in need of serious repair.

Doorway

1. The doorway is the focal point of your house.
2. Repaint the door.
3. Apply new door hardware.
4. Replace house numbers.
5. Put a flower box or planter alongside the door.
6. Install a new front light fixture.

Swimming Pool

1. If you have a pool, a well-maintained one says a lot about you and your house.
2. The pool should be sparkling clean and in good operating condition.
3. Repair or replace broken tiles.
4. Patio and concrete decking around pool should be clean and cracks repaired.
5. Pool filter should be cleaned.
6. Replace worn or broken pool equipment (brushes, hoses, sweeps, pool covers, etc.)
7. If your pool is stained, you may want to have a professional service drain and acid wash or refinish the surface.

When considering a home for purchase, the buyer often visualizes what it would be like living there. If the home is dominated by strong personal statements, buyers are less likely to feel comfortable, and therefore less able to visualize the property as their own.

1. Personal statements are reflected in many areas.
2. Unusual wall colors or heavily patterned wallpaper.
3. Sounds of loud music or television.
4. Heavy odours from pets, tobacco or cooking.
5. Noisy children or barking dogs.
6. Strong political or religious statements.
7. Unusual art or furnishings.

Any of the above may create a feeling that the house is dominated by someone else and may interfere with the buyer’s ability to “feel at home.”

There are many ways to create a more exciting and saleable interior, at surprisingly little cost. We will briefly discuss the sensory selling tools that can have enormous impact, and then provide you with suggestions on how to improve each room.

Light
It is proven that people react more favorably to property shown under bright light than dark. The following steps should help you keep your home as bright as possible.

1. Keep windows clean.
2. Use adequate wattage in light bulbs.
3. Consider replacing older fluorescent lamps, which darken with use.
4. Use mirrors to magnify the feeling of light and space.
5. Use track lights to create a high-tech look.
6. Use light wall colors.
7. Open drapes and blinds and turn on lights prior to showings.

Color
A fundamental rule when selling your house is to keep colors neutral and light. The following are specific suggestions:

1. White, beige and gray are the most popular exterior colors. Shades of white, off-white and very light pastels are the safest choices for the interior.
2. Avoid highly patterned wallpaper whenever possible.
3. Try to limit bright colors to accents like fresh flowers, towels, area rugs and shower curtains.

Sound
The sounds of peace and quiet are some of the best sounds to have when your home is being shown to a prospective buyer. But there are other sound considerations you should be aware of.

1. Avoid barking dogs and noisy children, if possible.
2. Also avoid sounds of work like vacuums and washing machines.
3. Make sure there are no sounds of mechanical problems like banging pipes or faulty appliances.
4. Light classical or instrumental music can be effective in creating a pleasing atmosphere.

Smell
Smell has more impact than you might expect. It can work for or against you.

1. The smell of newness is positive. This scent can be achieved by applying a fresh coat of polyurethane to natural wood or latex paint to walls.
2. The smell of cleanliness is important to the selling environment of your house. Beyond actually cleaning, lemon oil or lemon wax can help create a lasting scent of freshness. Fresh flowers can also be effective.
3. For a real heart-warming touch, place a dish of vanilla in a warm oven to create the aroma of fresh baked cookies or bread.
4. Sweeten the refrigerator with a box of baking soda.
5. Smells to avoid include strong pet odours, tobacco, cooking and oil or gas.

Packaging the Interior

Entry
The entry is where the first impression of the interior is created. Here you have the opportunity to make a big statement in a small area.

1. Repaint the entry using light, neutral colors.
2. Move a prized antique or attractive furnishing to the entry, where it will have maximum impact.
3. Apply a fresh coat of polyurethane to a wood floor.
4. Tile or linoleum flooring should shine.
5. A new hall light fixture can make a great impression.
6. Make sure the room is well lit.

Kitchen
The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the house. It can have a major impact on the value of your property. If your kitchen needs some real help, you may want to make extensive improvements. The following is a list of ideas to increase the appeal of your kitchen without spending a great deal of money.

1. Make sure the room is virtually spotless and smells fresh. Try putting a quarter section of a lemon in the disposal and grinding it up.
2. Consider replacing outdated light fixtures with new track lighting.
3. If your appliances are dated by colors like harvest gold or avocado, consider having them professionally refinished in a new color like almond or plain white. This will make appliances look new at a fraction of the cost of actually replacing them.
4. Spruce up kitchen cabinets by installing new knobs or hardware.
5. If your cabinets look especially old, you can have a professional replace the doors or door fronts.
6. Organize your kitchen cabinets to demonstrate how much room you have. Cabinet organizers are a good investment for this.
7. Remove small kitchen appliances and gadgets from countertops to create an uncluttered look.
8. Chipped or damaged countertops should be repaired or replaced.
9. If your linoleum floor is badly worn, replace it with neutral no-wax flooring or tile.
10. A fresh painted kitchen may be well worth the investment.

Bathroom
The bathroom has become an important selling feature in today’s home. It is a room that has moved from the utilitarian to the exciting. There are many ways you can improve deficiencies and create interest through various levels of enhancement.

1. Place a vase of fresh flowers on the vanity top.
2. Install a wall telephone for a high-tech look.
3. Replace an old toilet seat.
4. Replace an old light fixture with a new style light strip or make-up light.
5. Refinish an old porcelain tub using a porcelain finishing service.
6. Place all personal care articles out of sight.
7. Freshen the air with lemon scented products.
8. Replace an old towel rack with one of brass or oak.
9. Add color and richness with towels and shower curtain.

Living Room
The living room is an area we do very little living in yet it is a major selling point of a house. Buyers look for elegant and impressive living rooms to make the right statements to their friends and relatives.

1. Use mirrors whenever possible to enhance the perception of size. The strategic placement of a mirror over a mantle or across from the window can make a room look brighter and larger.
2. Use inexpensive freestanding “can” lights to create dramatic visual effects behind large plants or pieces of furniture.
3. Use chair rail or cornice molding to create a feeling of elegance.
4. Professionally clean wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs. Sand and refinish stained hardwood floors.
5. Clean windows and light fixtures.
6. Make sure all cosmetic plaster cracks are repaired. (This applies to every room in the house.)
7. Use lemon oil on hardwood furniture to create the right look and aroma.
8. Liberal use of fresh flowers and plants will enhance the environment.

Bedrooms

1. Make sure the bedrooms are absolutely spotless. Rugs should be cleaned, windows washed and fresh smells from flowers or lemon oil should be in the air.
2. Organize closets to increase the perceived size. Rubberized wire closet organizers do a great job of helping fully utilize space.
3. Mirrored closet doors can add dramatically to the feeling of size in any bedroom.
4. Bedrooms should be well lit. You may want to add track lights in the master bedroom.
5. A ceiling fan can be an attractive and practical accent to any bedroom.

Storeroom
The look of the storeroom can say more about the condition of your house than you may think. A buyer who sees a meticulously clean and well organized storeroom will have much more confidence in your property than if it was in a state of disarray.

1. Apply a new coat of paint.
2. Freshen the air with lemon scented products.
3. Make sure there are no signs of pest infestation.
4. Clean stores and organize them to minimize floor clutter.
5. Make sure the room is sufficiently lit.

1. Are the plants and bushes well trimmed?
2. Is your lawn mowed and free of weeds?
3. Are the decks and patio clean?
4. Does your house require an interior and exterior repainting?
5. Are there any leaks or cracks in the ceiling and roofs?
6. Are there any tiles missing?
7. Are your carpets clean?
8. Are there any pet or smoke odours?
9. Are the wallpapers peeling?
10.  Does your ceiling need a repaint
11.  Are your appliances clean and in good working order?
12.  Are you cabinets and countertops in good condition?
13.  Is your sink clean? 
14.  Are your toilets in good condition?
15.  Are your shower doors stained?
16.  Do your tubs need caulking?
17.  Is your flooring in good condition?
18.  Do all the windows open and close easily?
19.  Are the windows sills clean?
20.  Do the locks work?
21.  Do the doors seal tight?
22.  Is your storeroom clean?
23.  Are there any signs of insects and rodents?

If you require any assistance with enhancing your property for sale, please contact our EastLiving Real Estate Consultants.