| Times are tough if you are trying to sell your | | | | (unless it's freezing outside). If it's a dark overcast |
| house. The economy is in trouble, and people's | | | | day, put on the lights. Open all of the internal |
| confidence is way down. It takes a lot to get | | | | doors too. |
| them to part with their hard earned cash. | | | | 6. Smell - there is nothing worse than a bad odour |
| And all those home makeover shows on TV don't | | | | to put people off your home. Mold, mildew, dirty |
| fool anyone. Buyers watch them too, you know - | | | | linen smells, and animal smells are all a big no no! |
| so you can no longer get away with just a new | | | | Clean up, and if necessary, banish your pooch to |
| coat of paint and some fancy hired furniture. | | | | the yard for the day. You may not smell him, but |
| Listed below are the top ten attributes buyers | | | | if your buyers don't have pets, they certainly will. |
| look for in a house: | | | | 7. Storage - buyers want to make sure there will |
| | | | be space for all of their furniture and knock |
| 1. Location - buyers are looking for areas that | | | | knacks, especially if they are downsizing. Make the |
| have growth potential (and resale potential). You | | | | most of your storage areas inside and outside of |
| are better off having the worst house in the best | | | | the house. |
| street than the best house in the worst street. | | | | 8. Garden - all buyers will expect a well presented |
| Sell your area and street, not the just the house. | | | | garden, but it is also important to make sure your |
| 2. Aspect - A house that faces the right way has | | | | garden has the flexibility to appeal to families, |
| a major advantage. Depending on your location, a | | | | older couples, as well as young singles or newly |
| house with a south facing balcony (US, Europe | | | | marrieds. A flexible garden has areas that can be |
| & Britain) or north facing balcony (Australia, | | | | used for entertaining, relaxing, and playing (for the |
| NZ, Africa, South America) has many advantages | | | | kids!). |
| including lower heating bills in winter. Make the | | | | 9. Bathroom - clean the bathroom - scrub if you |
| most of your aspect! | | | | must. A dirty or smelly bathroom is the biggest |
| 3. Presentation - a house that is clean, tidy and | | | | turnoff for prospective buyers. And again, make |
| de-cluttered allows the buyer to imagine their | | | | sure a window is open. |
| furnishings in your home. Clean up and pack up | | | | 10. Kitchen - the trend these days is for large, |
| everything that is not essential for day to day | | | | open plan kitchens. Preferably one that allows the |
| living. | | | | cook to still converse with guests whilst cooking. |
| 4. Flexibility - buyers may not like the layout of | | | | If you've got one - make the most of it. If not, |
| your home, or may want to add additional rooms. | | | | could it be made into one (remember our point |
| How flexible is the layout of your home. | | | | about flexibility)? |
| 5. Light - unless you plan on selling to The | | | | That's it - the top ten attributes buyers look for |
| Addams Family, a light and airy home is essential. | | | | in a house. In my next article, I will advise what |
| When showing prospective buyers around, make | | | | you can do to improve each of these aspects to |
| sure all curtains are open, and also some windows | | | | make your home more appealing. |