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LEGGETT IMMOBILIER - LOCAL KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST
around the entrance, give those
shutters a fresh lick of paint
and spend a morning cleaning
the windows so that the lovely
sunshine the buyers are looking
for can come streaming in.
Children, particularly
teenagers, can create mess
beyond words. You may know
that the books, clothes, toys
and computers are just surface
clutter but they will distract the
buyer from seeing the positive
things such as a room's size,
clarity of light or architectural
features. You should also
recognise that many buyers
don't want to be met by your
family dog jumping up and
saying hello. I've seen it happen
hundreds of times and have
even had serious buyers refuse
to get out of the car until the
pets are on a leash or taken
away.
You should be aiming for a
colourful approach to the house
and a tidy and welcoming feel
indoors.
There are two things to get
right to ensure a sale. Firstly,
make sure that your house is
well priced when compared
to similar properties around
it. Nearly all buyers will have
this "comparable evidence" at
hand and will just dismiss your
property if the figures don't
stack up.
Secondly, ensure that you
give yourself the best chance
of a sale - snagging, painting,
planting and tidying will only
cost a handful of euros and
a little bit of your time but
this work will repay itself a
thousandfold.
1. PLANT COLOURFUL SHRUBS AND FLOWERS
along your driveway - keeping the
entrance to the house clear of parked
cars, bicycles and toys.
2. GIVE YOUR SHUTTERS AND FRONT DOOR
a fresh coat of paint and think about
changing your door knocker to make it
stand out and more attractive.
3. GET RID OF ANY NASTY ODOURS
make your kitchen welcoming with fresh
coffee and bread far more preferable
than last night's curry or fried onions.
4. MAKE THE BEDS, PICK UP DIRTY LAUNDRY,
wash and put away the dishes - even
consider laying up the dining table.
Make sure that rooms are well lit.
5. CLEAR UP ANY MESS MADE BY YOUR CATS
and dogs. Nothing puts a buyer off more
than an overflowing litter tray or having
to gingerly pick their way through a
minefield of dog mess.
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