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Make Your House Sexy

Your want top dollar for your home, right?
Who doesn't? So how can you secure the highest possible price for your home in the shortest amount of time? We'd like to share what Jim Remley recommends. He proven that you need to use the strategy that professional marketing executives have known for years - make the product sexy!

Woops! Did you read that right? Did he just say make the product sexy? How in the world do you make a house sexy you might ask? Great question! Let's take a look at ways to make your listing the most attractive house in the neighborhood.

7-Ways to Make a House Sexy

Dress the Home Up - The homes curb appeal will create an instant and irreversible first impression with every buyer. Use this checklist to make sure your home is "dressed for success".
" Paint the Trim / and Front Door
" Plant Flowers / Pull Weeds
" Clean the Downspouts and Gutters
" Clean the Screens and Windows
" Pressure Wash the Sidewalk / Driveway
" Mow Grass / Apply New Bark Mulch
" Replace Outside Light Bulbs
" Wash the House Exterior or Paint if Needed
" Clean or Replace House Numbers
" Remove all Cob Webs / Spray for Pests
Create a Warm Environment - Every home should offer the potential buyer a warm, friendly experience especially during the first showing. What greets the buyer on the other side of the seller's front door? Things to consider:
" Consider the Smell of the Home / Candles & Vanilla Can Help
" Replace Lights Bulbs, Clean Drapes, Blinds, & Windows
" Professionally Clean Carpets / Replace if Needed
" Paint Walls or Wash Walls
" Clean Doors / Cabinets / Closets
" Dust the Home / Remove Cobwebs
" Clean Appliances
" Paint or Clean Baseboards
" Re-Caulk Bathtubs / Showers
" Replace Cracked or Damaged Outlet Covers
Remove Barriers from the Relationship - Buyers need to build an emotional bond with a home before they can make a decision to purchase the home. Help them by removing potential barriers.
" Pack and Store Seasonal Clothing
" Remove Unused Furniture
" Remove Personal Photo Clutter and Pack
" Secure Pets Before Each Showing
" Remove and Replace Fixtures Not Included with Sale
" Encourage Sellers to Leave the Home During Showings
Tell a Story and Be Interesting - Buyers want a home that stands out from the competition. Does each room in your house tell a story? What can you visualize happening in each room as you walk through the home? This is often referred to as "staging the home". Here are some suggestions:
" Set the Kitchen Table
" Turn Down the Master Bed / Place a Book on Nightstand
" Display an Open Game in the Kids Room
" Turn on Fireplace in Living Room
" Turn on Soft Music
" Display a Family DVD near the Entertainment Center
Use Accessories - The smallest items can often turn the buyer on to your listing. For instance; consider organizing a mix of critical information the buyer may need to move forward with a purchase in addition to some warm and fuzzy items. Examples include:
" Disclosure Statements (if required)
" Flyers of the Home
" Plot Maps and Tax Information
" Financing Sheets / Payment
" Average Utility Costs
" Local Service Provider List
" Warranty Information
" Why We Love this Home - A Letter From the Seller
" Photos of the Home From Different Seasons
Open Up the Dark Areas - Buyers want to know everything about a home before they decide to move forward. In most cases this means they want to view every area of the home. By making this easier you may be able to position your home as the most appealing match to the buyer needs. For example:
" Unlock and Open All Areas of the Home
" Clean the Garage / Sweep / and Pressure Wash
" Unlock Outside Buildings Including Shops
" Clean Out Closets / Pantry
" Provide Access to the Crawl Space / Cellar
" Provide Access to Attic
Offer Protection - Buyers want to feel secure in the purchase of their new home. One way to help them feel more secure is by removing the fear of added repair costs after closing. You accomplish this by simply providing the buyer a home warranty. A home warranty will protect the buyer in most cases for up to year after closing for any mechanical system failures in the home up to certain limits. The cost of the warranty can be generally paid at closing. For more information on home warranties go to www.ahs.com .

So there you have it, 7 ways to make your home sexier even in a hot market. Taken separately each item may seem like a small insignificant issue barely worth mentioning but taken as a whole this list may be just the ticket to attracting a high quality suitor for your home.

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