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When you went in search of your new home, did you even briefly consider the structures that were dirty on the inside or out? If paint was chipping, rugs were stained or wood chipped, did you look twice at the asking price or turn around in search of a home with more upkeep, more shine and more polish? If you say that the appearance of the home didn’t phase you at all, you’re lying.
The look of a building is often the final tipping point for an interested buyer. If it looks rundown and unloved, people will think there is no reason to consider it, let alone purchase and revitalize it. If it appears to be falling down, it will appear to be worthless. You will never sell your home and move to the pretty, clean one you discovered in the neighborhood you are moving to. Therefore, it is important from the moment you move in to the moment you relocate that you maintain the appearance of your house.
Begin by keeping the paint fresh and clean. Do not let it chip and fade into a disgusting example of neglect. Give it life by reapplying paint every few years. And when you do, don’t opt for the cheap no-name brands. Invest in high-quality paint that will give the rooms a feel of class and warmth. The best way to do this is to consult a paint dealer. He’s not just there to make money; he’s there to make happy customers, which means he is there to do whatever you need to maintain the look of your home. He’ll point you in the right direction for the right paint.
When you start applying the color, do so carefully and meticulously. Do not just slap it on as if there were no other concerns in the world. Color alone does not make the room. You are trying to make a good impression not convey to the public that you couldn’t care less about the condition of your walls. Go over the corners and edges slowly; clean up any bumps; and create an atmosphere that screams “I took my time; I care. This is worth something.”
Once you’ve got the walls taken care of, take a look at the wood surrounding them. Do they need to be refinished? Do the carpets need to be shampooed? Do they need to be replaced entirely? Are any of your tiles cracked or missing? Have the wood floors seen better days? Examine everything that could detract from the appearance of your home and give it life.
If you don’t care about how your home looks, no one will care about your home. Take the time to breathe beauty into the walls, floors and extras in your home and you’ll reap the rewards. You’ll have people oohing and aahing over the extras you’ve added. You’ll have friends envious of your gorgeous dining room and redone floors, and most importantly, you’ll have buyers scrambling to retrieve their checkbooks before the person behind them can do the same and snatch this well-loved property out from under their noses.
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