DAVIDSONVILLE, ANNAPOLIS, EDGEWATER, ARNOLD AND SEVERNA PARK REAL ESTATE
If you have much experience with selling your house, you probably have your own ideas about what has seemed to be the preparations that made the most difference with the least trouble and expense. Here are three you might not have used before:
- Closets – every now and then you’ll see clutter-clearing advice that emphasizes how important it is that closets be neat and organized—shoes lined up, drawers closed, shelves neatened, etc. The new idea is to empty the closets. Not entirely, though: empty just half of what’s in there! It’s actually a good way to use a closet, because when it’s jammed to the rafters, many items are never used anyway (they get lost among everything else). By putting half the stuff into storage, the net effect is that closets appear much more spacious.
- Refrigerators — an age-old adage has it that what you’re really selling isn’t a Annapolis house; it’s a kitchen. That’s an exaggeration with a grain of truth. Nobody would say that you’re selling a refrigerator—but there might be another grain of truth in there as well. Buyers really do open refrigerator doors, and what they find registers. So the cleaner, the better. Since cleaning involves emptying it shelf by shelf, while you’re at it, you might as well take the opportunity to declutter. In refrigerator terms, decluttering means getting rid of the bits and pieces and too-ancient jars you won’t ever use again anyway. Some expert advice includes actually staging your fridge: adding healthy items selected for maximum foodie appeal. But since you have to continue preparing actual meals for everyone, I suggest sticking to the usual family favorites.
- Lights: at night — especially once I’ve planted my “FOR SALE” sign out front—there is a fresh opportunity to indulge in some inexpensive Annapolis showmanship. Think “stage lighting.” Now that the Annapolis days are short and nights long, more folks are out driving in the dark of night or early morning. A floodlit entryway flanked by attractive spots highlighting landscape features will add eye-catching architectural interest. Too, when you’re selling your house, it never hurts when you also subtly upstage the surrounding properties. For some homes, color can be especially appealing when it’s not too garish.
Those are just three easy but effective ideas that are among those that can add up to a Annapolis house that earns its “SOLD” sign fast. Since every property is unique, each offers different opportunities. When you give me a call for a no-obligation consultation, we can put our heads together to come up with some that will work best!
DEBORAH LAGGINI, Long and Foster Real Estate, Annapolis, MD 21403
OFFICE 410-263-3400
CELL 410.991.6560
Website www.deborahlaggini.com
EMAIL deborah.laggini@longandfoster.com
REALTOR, Annapolis, Davidsonville, Edgewater, and Surrounding Communities