Scott and Kristie McDonald
Portland Real Estate
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Tips for selling your Portland home

 

When selling your home, think back to when you purchased your first home. There are little things that can impact the buyer’s impression of the value of your real estate. The following list has been compiled by our impressions and conversations with hundreds of buyers who we showed thousands of homes.

Inside your home: Cleanliness and appearance

 

Odors & Fragrance

If you have a litter box in your home, keep it clean and hidden. Also, air out rooms frequently. Your home should have a soft inviting fragrance; use subtle scented candles or room fragrances (avoid anything similar to musk or it is too pungent).

Clutter

Remove all clutter and personal items from view. The more you can give your home a “staged” appearance the more inviting it is to buyers. (i.e. no magnets on the refrigerator).

Lightning

Make sure that there are no burnt out bulbs and keep a few lamps on when you are away for the unexpected showing. Overhead lighting should be bright and unless you need to hide something outside the windows, keep the blinds open.

Knobs & Drawers

Drawers should be on their tracks, replace any broken or missing knobs and make sure any accordion type closet doors open & close efficiently. If the front door knob needs a jiggle or other such process to open get it fixed; getting in through that front door is every buyers first impression of the home and you do not want it to be a “broken” impression.

Touches

Keep a fresh arrangement of flowers near the front door or on the dining room table & leave soft music playing while away.

Temperature

Keep your home comfortably warm / cool (if you have A/C) when away; nothing shortens a tour faster than buyers who are either too cold or warm in the home.



The outside appearance of your home

 

Front Porch

Buyers will spend a lot of time here waiting for the agent to let them in. Clean away cobwebs, make sure key works well in the lock, screen door should be in good working order and the entrance well cleaned.

Smoking

Keep all cigarette butts & ashtrays out of sight.

Distractions

Trash cans, bikes, etc. should be kept in the garage or hidden to the side or back of the home.


Yard

Keep the grass trimmed and edged.


Flowers

Add a hanging basket or potted flowers around the entrance of the home.