Real Estate - Chris Hines

with CHRIS HINES

FROM UNREAL ESTATE

Help your real estate agent make it an open house to remember. Help them clinch that sale. The rule of thumb is to prepare well in advance, and not 24 hours before. Twenty-four hours will not be sufficient time for the nitty-gritty that will make or break a public showing. You remember how it was during school. If we crammed, we most likely failed the exam the next day, but when we studied weeks in advance, we felt we knew the subject matter by heart. The same principle applies to open houses. The harder and longer you prepare, the better the results will be. It may even put a few extra thousand dollars in your pocket! Make a lasting first impression. Most real estate agents agree - a clean house is the #1 priority. The word “clean”, however, does not only mean a house that has been tidied up a few hours earlier, a walkway that was swept and hosed over, or windows that were cleared of dust and dirt. “Clean” means a lot more than that. Studies have shown that dwellings painted in neutral colours convey a more pleasant and warmer welcome to visitors; they are able to visualize better about how their own personal effects can blend with the colours. Imagine having a wall that’s painted fire engine red or bedrooms that look more like an artist’s mural because too many psychedelic colours are flooding the eye. Re-painting your house may not be a must, but if you decide to do so, do it a few weeks before, that way the fumes don’t linger. The clutter, please – if you don’t want your potential buyers to trip just as they’re entering the house, eliminate unnecessary furniture and house accessories to allow for more breathing room. If visitors can’t move about freely because there are obstructions along the way, chances are they’re likely to go somewhere else. Buyers will want to see the size of the closets, so eliminate the clutter. Leave the clothes and shoes neatly hung, but remove your grandmother’s old sewing machine. If you have a family at home, don’t forget the children’s bedrooms. You know you’ve always wanted an excuse to clean up the toys, this is your chance. If the kids haven’t played with it for a while, pack it up and store it, they will get a kick out of getting out of storage at your new home. Be considerate. While dogs and other pets are adorable creatures, they have no place in an open house. One or two of your buyers might not be animal lovers or are allergic to animal hair. Some buyers also know of the damage and dirt these creatures leave on their tracks, so keep them out of the house until the open house is over. I know they are part of the family, but they are not part of the family who are buying or looking to buy your home. And oh yes, how about some nice, delicate flowers that don’t give off a strong smell? This simple gesture will do wonders to liven up your home. Choose different pastel colours to serve as a contrast to the neutral background. On the morning of the open home, open the windows and doors if weather permits, there is nothing like fresh air. Also take into account the season. If it’s a hot day, turn on the air conditioner half an hour before the open house, nothing is more welcoming then a cool home on a hot day, and vice versa a warm home on a cold day. Above all, trust in the advice of your real estate agent. Thanks for reading.

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Creating your dream home couldn’t be easier when you build with Perry Homes. We have over 150 diff erent fl oor Creating your dream home couldn’t be easier when you build with Perry Homes. We have over 150 diff erent fl oor plans to choose from, including single and two storey, granny fl at and dual occupancy… there’s sure to be a design plans to choose from, including single and two storey, granny fl at and dual occupancy… there’s sure to be a design to suit your lifestyle. Whether you have a fl at or a sloping block of any size, even knocking down your existing to suit your lifestyle. Whether you have a fl at or a sloping block of any size, even knocking down your existing house to rebuild a new home, you can be sure we can bring your vision to life. house to rebuild a new home, you can be sure we can bring your vision to life.

If you can dream it, we can build it. If you can dream it, we can build it.

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