Seven Suggestions to Make Your Home the One Buyers Remember

Seven Suggestions to Make Your Home the One Buyers Remember

By Mary Damiano

It all started with a floor-to-ceiling, built-in china cabinet.

That was the thing that stood out most to me about the first house my husband and I bought together. Even though the house was on the small side and needed a lot of TLC, it had that china cabinet, something no other house we’d looked at had. There were some other nice features, like a fireplace that didn’t work and real hardwood floors that needed refinishing—like I said, a lot of TLC—but that built-n china cabinet is what stuck in my mind and made us take a second look. And it contributed to us buying the house.

Fast forward nine years, to the next house-hunting expedition. This time the thing that caught our fancy was a ceiling fan with clear blade and a blue neon light. It gave the whole house a cool, hip vibe. We could see the parties we’d have, with our friends laughing and having a good time, lit by that blue neon light. We bought the house.

You never know what will be the thing that will strike a buyer’s fancy. But there are things you can do to make your house more interesting and more memorable to buyers.

Here are seven easy fixes that can make buyers remember your house.

Exquisite Entryway
Wow buyers right from the start with a freshly painted, clean front door. Inside, spruce up your entryway with a nice console table and a vase filled with colorful flowers or a striking piece of art that will make people smile. If you don’t have an entryway, create one with a clever furniture arrangement.

Quick-Fix the Fixtures
Some designers regard fixtures as the jewelry of the house. Inexpensive fixture fix-ups include replacing drawer pulls and handles in kitchens and bathrooms. Spending $60 or $70 on new bathroom faucets can give the powder room a luxe look that can make buyers remember your home.

Corral the Clothes
Organization makes people feel secure, and shows off the possibilities of your space. If you don’t already have a closet system, invest in one. The ideal system these days includes sleek, white melamine shelves with some drawers and metal expansion rods. If you already have a system, declutter the closet and show it off. Other quick organization tips: Organize kitchen cabinets and the pantry, as well as the bathroom storage. No perspective buyer wants to peek in behind a door and see it stuffed to the gills.


Don’t Take It Personally
The goal in getting a house ready for sale is to allow buyers to see themselves in the space, not you. Make sure to remove most of the personal items from the home, such as clusters of knick knacks, personal photos and boxes.

The Nose Knows
Appeal to a buyer’s senses and make sure your house not only looks good, but smells good. Banish pet odors and any other unpleasant smells and when the house is going to be shown have a good candle ready. Try vanilla—it’s a scent that appeals to both men and women. If the house is shown when you’re not home and you can’t monitor a candle, opt for s gel candle that emits a pleasant odor without having to be lit.

Light Up Their Lives
Often the most overlooked aspect of the décor, lighting can make or break a space. While natural light is terrific, not all homes get lots of sunlight. Think of lighting in three ways: task, decorative and ambiance. Overhead lighting is often harsh, so invest in some nice wall sconces or table lamps. One rule of lighting to remember: overhead lighting causes glare, while lamps cast shadows that make a room look larger and cozier. Wall sconces are inexpensive and can really add to the mood of a room. And take it from me, a cool ceiling fan with a killer light might just do the trick.