| You're having the jitters. Your open house is tomorrow. | | | | Re-painting your house may become a must, but do it |
| And first impressions count! | | | | a few weeks before, that way the fumes don't linger. |
| Help your Tampa Bay Florida real estate agent make | | | | The clutter, please - if you don't want your potential |
| it a smashing open house. Help him clinch that sale. The | | | | buyers to trip just as they're entering the house, |
| rule of thumb is to prepare well in advance, and not 24 | | | | eliminate unnecessary furniture and house accessories |
| hours before. Twenty-four hours will not be sufficient | | | | to allow for more breathing room. If visitors can't move |
| time for the nitty-gritty that will make or break a public | | | | about freely because there are obstructions along the |
| showing. You remember how it was during school. If | | | | way, chances are they're likely to go somewhere else. |
| we crammed, we most likely failed the exam the next | | | | Buyers will want to see the size of the closets, so |
| day. But when we studied weeks in advance, we felt | | | | eliminate the clutter. Leave the clothes and shoes |
| we knew the subject matter by heart. The same | | | | neatly hung, but remove your grandmother's old |
| principle applies to open houses. The harder and longer | | | | sewing machine. Remember, closets that look like |
| you prepare, the better the results will be. It may even | | | | storage rooms are unattractive. Don't make your |
| put a few extra thousand dollars in your pocket! | | | | guests feel that there are real skeletons in the closet! |
| The fact that your house is located in Tampa Bay or | | | | Be considerate - while dogs and other pets are |
| in Pinellas County is already half the battle won, | | | | adorable creatures, they have no place in an open |
| because these locations have a lot to offer people | | | | house. One or two of your buyers might not be animal |
| looking for a place to live in Florida. Think of the | | | | lovers or are allergic to animal hair. Some buyers also |
| commercial and cultural diversity and other attractions | | | | know of the damage and dirt these creatures leave |
| that Tampa Bay and Pinellas County are famous for. | | | | on their tracks, so keep them out of the house (leave |
| Make a Lasting First Impression - most real estate | | | | them with your mother-in-law if she agrees to baby sit |
| agents agree: a clean house is the # 1 priority. The | | | | them) until the open house is over. |
| word "clean", however, does not only mean a house | | | | Speaking of your mother-in-law who loves to cook |
| that has been tidied up a few hours earlier, a walkway | | | | exotic dishes that spew out strange smells, postpone |
| that was swept and hosed over, or windows that | | | | the cooking until the prospective buyers have left. She'll |
| were cleared of dust and dirt. "Clean" means a lot | | | | need to be out of the house and so do you. Leave |
| more than that. | | | | your real estate agent to do what he does best. |
| Studies have shown that dwellings painted in neutral | | | | Potential buyers feel more comfortable when you are |
| colors convey a more pleasant and warmer welcome | | | | not there initially -- they are not ready to meet you yet! |
| to visitors; they are able to visualize better about how | | | | And oh yes, how about some nice, delicate flowers |
| their own personal effects can blend with the colors. | | | | that don't give off a strong smell? This simple gesture |
| Imagine having a wall that's painted fire engine red or | | | | will do wonders to liven up your home. Choose |
| bedrooms that look more like an artist's mural because | | | | different pastel colors to serve as a contrast to the |
| too many psychedelic colors are flooding the eye. | | | | neutral background. |