Prospective buyers will probably park across the street—that is where the agent will usually guide them. Sit there in your own car and see how the house strikes you. Remember that your property will never get a second chance to make a first impression. Is the lawn as nearly perfect as possible, or could it benefit from a little fertilizer? Are the bushes trimmed? Is your garage door closed? One detail can make a great difference. Of course, it’s too late to landscape, but a few showy, in-season annuals can add sparkle to your front lawn at small expense.
Your fences and gates should be in good repair, possibly repainted. Rusty toys and moldering shopping guides must be picked up. Downspouts and gutters should be firmly attached; house numbers need checking also. Don’t forget your driveway; remove unsightly oil stains and fill in small cracks. An old car, pick-up truck, or a camper that lives in your driveway may need another home for the interim.
No matter how attached you may be to your flamingos, wooden whirligigs, decorative eagles, and artificial flowers, all such items are a matter of personal taste. Your exterior will look more spacious and serene without them; store them in your garage
for the duration. Not the most pleasant of views, trashcans should be kept neatly concealed. You already have enough assignments for a full Saturday’s work, and you haven’t arrived at the front door yet!
|
