What is the first thing you remember when you walk into a room for the first time? That is the question you must have on your mind when you are preparing your home for sale. It doesnt matter if your home in a condo, a luxury home, historic home, an estate or if you have the best Realtor in the area. Appearance is everything when selling your home. A drop of vanilla on a light bulb may temporarily create a fragrance that most people like. However, it will not create a sense of pleasant calm inviting people to come in and stay awhile.

Dont think for a second that you can just give the Buyer some money to do repairs and they will be happy. You bet they will be happy. They will take your to-do money and offer you a dramatically lower price. Is that what you really want? I dont think so. Meanwhile, the longer your home is on the market, the more people want to know whats wrong with it. Is there some expensive flaw hiding behind those needed repairs, clutter or shoddy work? They dont want to take a chance to buy your home unless the price is very lowjust in case that imaginary flaw surfaces right after they have purchased the home. Why should a buyer take that chance? The next house they look at can be more attractively presented and appear as a safer investment.

Your Realtor can usually recommend a contractor to do the work. However, it is not the Realtors job to watch the contractor do the work. It is not your contractors job to select the colors and materials. It is the responsibility of the owner to locate a design consultant to coordinate colors, styles and materials. Most large home supply companies offer free consultant advice. Use their services. Nothing looks worse than the wrong colors, materials in the wrong place. Powder blue walls in the kitchen may be your favorite but it not the color of choice for most Buyers.

The Buyers eye first sees the general impression of the room. Does the room feel inviting, warm friendly and neat? The Buyers eye then drops along the edges of the floor and ceiling looking for defects. Is the paint cracked or smeared on fixtures? How does the details of the room appear? Is there a tight neat bead of caulking and the baseboards, in the bathrooms? Have the fixtures been tastefully updated? Even historic homes need fixtures that are in good condition and fitting with the era of the home. The style and colors of your choice make the difference. Ask your Realtor and your designer what colors are current. The colors will very according what type of home you have. For example, a Historic home with larger rooms and wood floors can be embellished with darker more dramatic colors and crown molding. Most luxury homes can use bolder or pastel colors. A contemporary home could support more unusual color combinations such as a lime green with dark brown. The furniture needs to work with the colors of the walls. All look great if used properly.

Recently, I sold two luxury condos with the same floor plan and a similar location within the same complex and each with a terrific lake view. They sold for dramatically different prices. One sold for $318,000.00 the other sold for $350,000. The best looking home sold for more. New kitchen appliances $3,000.00 a frame around each of the3 bath room mirrors, a new front door handle, repainted the front door and touch up paint/patch throughout the home $1,500.00.The work was professionally done with careful detail. A total of $4,500.00 invested; yielded $27,500.00 more in profit. And the first Buyer that saw the home bought it. Which Seller made the wiser choice?

Attention to detail is what it is all about. Use the best quality materials that your budget can afford. Have the best quality workmanship you can afford. Now is not the time to be cheap. Do less if you must but do everything well.

Most Buyers want to see themselves moving into your home and doing nothing except enjoying it. After all, it is their new home.