The Interior

Entry

The entry is where the first impression of the interior is created. Here you have the opportunity to make a big statement in a small area.

Repaint the entry using light, neutral colors.
Move a prized antique or attractive furnishing to the entry, where it will have maximum impact.
Install a simple chair rail molding on the wall.
Apply a fresh coat of polyurethane to a wood floor.
Tile or linoleum flooring should shine.
Replace plastic switch plate covers with brass or porcelain.
A new hall light fixture can make a great impression.
Make sure the room is well lit.

Kitchen

The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in the house. It can have a major impact on the value of your property. If your kitchen needs some real help, you may want to make extensive improvements. The following is a list of ideas to increase the appeal of your kitchen without spending a great deal of money.

Make sure the room is virtually spotless and smells fresh. Try putting a quarter section of a lemon in the disposal and grinding it up.
Consider replacing outdated light fixtures.
If your appliances are dated by colors like harvest gold or avocado, consider having them professionally refinished in a new color like almond or plain white. This will make appliances look new at a fraction of the cost of actually replacing them.
Spruce up kitchen cabinets by installing new knobs or hardware.
If your cabinets look especially old, you can have a professional replace the doors or door fronts.
Organize your kitchen cabinets to demonstrate how much room you have. Cabinet organizers are a good investment for this.
Remove small kitchen appliances and gadgets from countertops to create an uncluttered look.
Chipped or damaged countertops should be repaired or replaced.
If your linoleum floor is badly worn, replace it with neutral no-wax flooring or tile.
A freshly painted kitchen may be well worth the investment.

Bathroom

The bathroom has become an important selling feature in today’s home. It is a room that has moved from the utilitarian to the exciting. There are many ways you can improve deficiencies and create interest through various levels of enhancement.

Place a vase of fresh flowers on the vanity.
Replace old toilet seats.
Consider replacing an old light fixture.
Refinish an old porcelain tub using a porcelain finishing service.
Place all personal care articles out of sight.
Freshen the air with lemon scented products.
Consider replacing an old towel rack.
Add color and richness with new towels and shower curtain.

Living Room

The living room is an area where we do very little living yet it is a major selling point of a house. Buyers look for elegant and impressive living rooms to make the right statements to their friends and relatives.

Use mirrors whenever possible to enhance the perception of size. The strategic placement of a mirror over a mantle or across from a window can make a room look brighter and larger.
A fireplace is one feature that everyone can appreciate - show it off to its best advantage. Sweep it clean and make sure the screen is in good condition. If your house is being shown during the winter, make a cozy, crackling fire. During warmer months, you can dress up the hearth with fresh indoor plants or dried flowers.
Use inexpensive free-standing "can" lights to create dramatic visual effects behind large plants or pieces of furniture.
Use chair rail or cornice molding to create a feeling of elegance.
Professionally clean wall-to-wall carpet or large area rugs. Sand and refinish stained hardwood floors.
Clean windows and light fixtures.
Make sure all cosmetic plaster cracks are repaired. (This applies to every room in the house.)
Use lemon oil on hardwood furniture to create the right look and aroma.
Liberal use of fresh flowers and plants will enhance the environment.

Bedrooms

The bedrooms can do as much to sell your house as they can to turn off a buyer.

Make sure the bedrooms are absolutely spotless. Rugs should be cleaned, windows washed and fresh smells from flowers or lemon oil should be in the air.
Organize closets to increase their perceived size. Rubberized wire closet organizers do a great job of helping fully utilize space.
Mirrored closet doors can add dramatically to the feeling of size in any bedroom.
Bedrooms should be well lit.
A ceiling fan can be an attractive and practical accent to any bedroom.

Basement/Attic

The look of the basement and/or attic can say more about the condition of your house than you may think. A buyer who sees a meticulously clean and organized basement and/or attic will have much more confidence in your property than if it were in a state of disarray.

Paint a bare cement floor oil-based gray.
Paint the stairway down to the basement and the stairway up to the attic.
Clean the boiler of the furnace room as well as the heating plant.
Make sure there are no signs of pest infestation. If needed, call in a pest control company to remedy the problem before the property is shown.
Hang as many objects as possible on the walls to minimize floor clutter.
Clean and organize your laundry area.
Make sure all lights are working.
Eliminate dampness with a dehumidifier.

Garage

A well-organized garage says a lot for your house.

Keep the garage neat and organized.
Clean up any oil stains from your car.
Paint the garage floor oil-based gray.
Install a garage door opener
Hang gardening tools and loose articles on the wall.
Hold a garage sale to dispose of unused items that create clutter and may distract a potential buyer.

Swimming Pool/Spa

The swimming pool or spa should be sparkling clean and in good operating condition.

Repair or replace broken tiles.
Patio and concrete decking around pool should be clean and cracks repaired.
Pool filter and heating equipment area should be cleaned.
Replace worn or broken pool equipment (brushes, hoses, sweeps, pool covers, etc.)

If your pool is stained, you may want to have a professional service drain and acid wash or refinish the surface.

The First Impression

The Model Home Effect

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