Imagine visiting a house with a very beautiful colonial exterior. You step in and it looks more like a fraternity home on campus! How would you react?

Surprises are always welcome, but if not done tastefully it can put people off from the get-go.

You’ve put on your charm and worked hard to make your home’s exterior look picture perfect! It’s time to take it to the next step. Create a little story or theme that flows from outside to the walls within. Here are some helpful hints that you could consider while staging your home to sell.

Declutter and stage a room with neutral colors.

INDOORS

11. Packing: Put away everything that you don’t use regularly. To that list add personal mementos, collector’s items and souvenirs. If it distinctly reveals your personality, it’s time to tuck it away in the storage.

12. Interior: Some people recommend leaving the house empty so that people can imagine their own lives in those open spaces. Don’t spend too much money. Make it as minimalistic as possible. Invariably, people would want to bring furniture and pieces that compliment their own style.
However, you could also decorate some areas – like the living room or master bedroom. If you want a few useful tips for staging a home, visit our website for more ideas.

13. Flooring: Whether carpet or wood, make sure you observe the condition of your floors. Look for evenness in color tone and texture. Shampoo or apply wax if needed to make the floor look clean.

14. Painting: Chipped, faded walls could devalue your home. A couple coats of fresh paint will do wonders to a living space! Avoid dark shades; they tend to make the room look smaller. If you want to add color, look at using neutral shades with one accented wall. Also, pay special attention to the ceilings. A nice white ceiling can make your space look a lot bigger.

15. Cleaning Areas: You don’t want anyone thinking ‘you missed a spot.’ People often forget to clean underneath furniture, behind household appliances, ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, and the skirting around walls. Double check to make sure yours are dusted, scrubbed, brushed, washed, or vacuumed as needed.

A living room with wide open spaces and natural light!

16. Lights & Windows: Take a second glance at fixtures, bulbs, and window dressings. Uniformity is key! Look for bright bulbs and replace all with the same kind. If a room has more than one window, it’s nicer to use the same window treatments everywhere. If people come in during the day, keep window treatments open to bring in natural light and make the room feel more airy. If it’s later in the day, put all the lights on to brighten up your space.

Well you could do it all yourself. But if you still think you need a faster way to sell your house, we might be able to help you. In the past five years, Express Homebuyers has sold over 800 homes within the DC metro area. We are ready to assist you. If we can’t sell your house in 60 days, we guarantee to buy it from you, no matter what the condition.

Just call us at 877-804-5252 or visit our website to chat with a representative.

This series will be continued. For more tips to sell your house fast, continue to read our blogs.

If you have any tips or suggestions that you’d like to share, please feel free to comment on this blog post.

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If we think you have what it takes to be a part of our highly driven team, we will respond to you immediately. You should receive an email that confirms your spot and a time slot for an interview with our Management team. All you need to do is take a print out of the confirmation and bring it to our job fair this evening, June 17, 2010 in Alexandria – VA. For more details, visit: http://www.expresscompaniesjobs.com/

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Hurry up! Spots are filling in quickly!

6. Lighting: Test all the lights outside. Replace all your bulbs to make them look uniform. Ensure that your light fixtures are clean and shiny.

7. Decks & Patios: People often like houses with a deck or patio. But having one with rickety flooring or rotten furniture could be a huge turn off! Replace if necessary. Also, pay attention to loose nails on boards and steps. In addition, power wash the deck if it’s crusty and dirty.It’ll look brand new!

8. Rails & Fences: Are these exterior supporters in good shape? Repair if needed. Tighten loose screws. If they seem to look dull or chipped, consider power washing or applying a fresh coat of paint or stain.

9. Windows: Check for cracks or leaks on windows. If you have large windows facing the exterior, add some potted plants. For more pizzazz, add a little window dressing to the mix.

10. Entrance & Front Door: Check for cobwebs in all the nooks and crannies around your doorway. Sweep away all the dried debris of leaves and soil that might muddle your entrance. Make sure that you have a fully functional doorbell. Doors can be a good lead-in to your house.  Paint or varnish the front door if needed.

You’re almost done. Go right back outside the house, probably even across the street, and look back. Does the property look appealing enough to buy? Would you want to enter this house if you were walking down the street? Ask your friends and neighbors for an unbiased opinion.

Still not sure? Are you looking for a professional assistance that can help you sell your house fast? Express Homebuyers does just that! In the past five years we’ve sold over 800 homes within the DC metro area. We can help you list your house for sale. If we can’t sell your house in 60 days, we guarantee to buy it from you, no matter what the condition.

Just call us at 877-804-5252 or visit our website to chat with a representative.

This series will be continued. For more tips to sell your house fast, continue to read our blogs.

If you have any tips or suggestions that you’d like to share, please feel free to comment on this blog post.

In the previous blog, we discussed cheap and efficient quick fixes under $250 that can make your house look stellar. It’s now time to add finishing touches. Here are some great ideas that can be extremely effective if put together smartly!

OUTDOORS

The exterior of your house is what will draw people to check what’s inside. Here’s a list of tips to help make your house more inviting:

1. Driveway: Pay extra attention to the area that leads to your house. If it’s exceptionally dull, you could add some sparkle by getting the concrete driveway and sidewalk pressure washed. If you’ve an asphalt driveway, don’t forget to put a fresh coat of sealer.

2. Garage: A well organized, spacious garage could add more value to your house. Empty out whatever you don’t intend to use or keep. Double check to see that garage doors work smoothly. And ALWAYS keep garage doors down, especially when people come to see the house.

3. Mailbox: Is it way too fancy to drive people away? Does it look tacky? Keep it simple, straight and upright.

4. Lawn: Maintain your exterior regularly. Pull out weeds, trim bushes and mow the lawn as needed. If you have overgrown trees that cover your house completely,  consider pruning or removing them completely.

5. Landscape: Nothing adds life to an exterior like a well designed landscape. For that added touch of color and vibrancy, consider growing different colored flowers in adjacent beds.

Are you looking for professional help to sell your house fast? Express Homebuyers can help. In the past five years we’ve sold over 800 homes within the DC metro area. We can help you list your house for sale. If we can’t sell your house in 60 days, we guarantee to buy it from you, no matter what the condition.

Just call us at 877-804-5252 or visit our website to chat with a representative.

This series will be continued. For more tips to sell your house fast, continue to read our blogs.

If you have any tips or suggestions that you’d like to share, please feel free to comment on this blog post.