The Glaser Group

The Model Home Effect

Creating an environment similar to what you find in a model home is one of the best ways to make a potential buyer feel "at home".

Key examples:

• The environment is neutral.
• The colors and interior decorating accent the home’s features.
• The smell is new and clean.
• The sound is either quiet or enhanced by subtle background music.
• Details are looked after, from the manicuring of the lawn to a floral arrangement in the entry.

A Clean Street

The street in front of your house should be free of litter and debris. If necessary, give it a fresh sweep before buyers arrive. For a deeper clean, consider using a pressure washer to blast away dirt and unsightly debris.

A Clean Sidewalk

Remove weeds that may be growing between the cracks.

Nice Fences

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

New Features

A quick painting of an old mailbox will let the buyer know that you care about the details. If outdoor lamps look rusted 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 such a different statement about you and your property than an unattractive, poorly cared for car. If you think your car will be a detriment to the look of your property, park it down the street.

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 shutters or 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. For other siding materials, make sure there is not rot and touch up the paint where needed.

Windows

Attractive windows can help increase the appeal of your property.

• Replace any cracked or broken glass.
• Make sure the windows are sparkling clean.
• Add shutters to the front of your house.
• Install window boxes with bright flowers.
• 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.

• Clean off any leaves.
• If roof looks dirty with darker areas, have it cleaned.
• Replace any broken or missing shingles or tiles.
• Repair flashing where needed.
• Paint eaves and fascia boards.
• If the roof is old and needs to be replaced, consider having the work done before showing the property.

Gutters/Downspouts

First, clean our gutters. Neat and trim-looking gutters and downspouts make a house look shipshape. Consider replacing highly visible ones if they are in need of serious repair. If run off areas are eroded, you can install concrete (or other) “spillways.”

Doorway

The front doorway is the focal point of your house.

• Repaint the door if needed.
• Apply new door hardware.
• Install a new kick plate.
• Replace house numbers.
• Put a flower box or planter alongside the door.
• Install a new front light fixture.

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.

• Keep windows clean.
• Put higher wattage light bulbs in light fixtures.
• Consider replacing older fluorescent light fixtures.
• Use mirrors to magnify the feeling of light and space. (But not too many!)
• Use light wall colors.
• 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:

• White, beige and gray are the most popular exterior colors.
• Shades of white, off-white, light gray and very light pastels are the safest choices for the interior.
• Remove all wallpaper whenever possible.
• 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 also be aware of:

• Avoid barking dogs and noisy children, if possible.
• Also avoid sounds of work like vacuums, dishwashers and lawn mowers.
• Make sure there are no sounds of mechanical problems like banging pipes or faulty appliances.
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Freshen the refrigerator with a box of baking soda.
• Smells to avoid include strong pet odors, tobacco, and cooking oil or gas.

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.

• Repaint the entry using light, neutral colors.
• Install simple chair rail molding on the wall.
• Apply a fresh coat of polyurethane to a wood floor.
• Tile or linoleum flooring should shine.
• A new hall light fixture can make a great impression.
• 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:

• 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.
• Consider replacing outdated light fixtures with new lighting.
• If your appliances are dated colors, consider having them professionally refinished in a new color. This will make appliances look new at a fraction of the cost of actually replacing them.
• Spruce up kitchen cabinets by installing new knobs or hardware.
• If your cabinets look especially old, you can have a professional replace the doors or door fronts.
• Organize your kitchen cabinets to demonstrate how much room you have. Cabinet organizers are a good investment for this.
• Remove small kitchen appliances and gadgets from countertops to create an uncluttered look.
• Chipped or damaged countertops should be repaired or replaced.
• If your linoleum floor is badly worn, replace it with new flooring.
• A freshly 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.

• Replace an old light and faucet fixtures.
• Refinish an old porcelain tub using a porcelain finishing service.
• Place all personal care articles out of sight.
• Freshen the air with scented products.
• Replace an old towel racks with a new one.
• Add color and richness with new towels and shower curtain.

Living Room

The living room is an area where we do very little living 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.

• A fireplace is one feature that everyone can appreciate – show it off to its best advantage. Sweep it clean and make sure the screen is in good condition. If your house is being shown during the winter, make a cozy, crackling fire. During warmer months, you can dress up the hearth with fresh indoor plants or dried flowers.
• Use inexpensive free-standing “can” lights to create dramatic visual effects behind large plants or pieces of furniture.
• Use chair rail or cornice molding to create a feeling of elegance.
• Professionally clean wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs. Sand and refinish stained hardwood floors if needed.
• Clean windows and light fixtures.
• Make sure all cosmetic plaster or drywall cracks are repaired. (This applies to every room in the house.)
• Use lemon oil on hardwood furniture to create the right look and aroma.
• Liberal use of fresh flowers and plants will enhance the environment.

Bedrooms

The bedrooms can do as much to sell your house as they can to turn off a buyer.

• Make sure the bedrooms are absolutely spotless. Rugs should be cleaned, windows washed and fresh smells should be in the air.
• Organize closets to increase their perceived size. Rubberized wire closet organizers do a great job of helping fully utilize space.
• Bedrooms should be well lit.
• A ceiling fan can be an attractive and practical accent to any bedroom.

Basement/Attic

The look of the basement and/or attic can say more about the condition of your house than you may think. A buyer who sees a meticulously clean and organized basement and/or attic will have much more confidence in your property than if it were in a state of disarray.

• Paint a bare cement floor.
• Paint the stairway down to the basement and the stairway up to the attic.
• Make sure there are no signs of pest infestation. If needed, call in a pest control company to remedy the problem before the property is shown.
• Clean and organize your laundry area.
• Make sure all lights are working.
• Eliminate dampness with a dehumidifier.

Garage

A well-organized garage says a lot for your house.

• Keep the garage neat and organized.
• Clean up any oil stains from your car.
• Install a garage door opener.
• Hang gardening tools and loose articles on the wall.
• Hold a garage sale to dispose of unused items that create clutter and may distract a potential buyer.

Swimming Pool/Spa

The swimming pool or spa should be sparkling clean and in good operating condition.

• Repair or replace broken tiles.
• Patio and concrete decking around pool should be clean and cracks repaired.
• Pool filter and heating equipment area should be cleaned.
• Replace worn or broken pool equipment (brushes, hoses, sweeps, pool covers, etc.)
• If your pool is stained, you may want to have a professional service drain and acid wash or refinish the surface.