MOKENA, IL--(Marketwire - March 22, 2010) - Now that you've decided to put your home on the market, realize that you have to do more than just put a "For Sale" sign out on your front lawn. One of the first things you should do is show prospective home buyers what's appealing about your house -- inside and outside.
In recognition of National Decorating Month this April, Creative Colors International is offering advice on how to make your home look more attractive to potential buyers.
"Home buyers want to walk into a home where the atmosphere is fresh, new-looking, and comfortable. They don't want to see tears and rips in furniture or badly stained furniture," said Mark J. Bollman, president of Creative Colors International. "That is why we tell people they should 'restore for real estate'; we recommend they consider restoring and cleaning up their furniture before putting their home on the market. Something as minute as restoration can make a huge difference."
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, "a 'well-polished' house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price." And, although structural repairs, such as updates to the bathroom and kitchen, should be done before placing a house on the market, home sellers should also rearrange the furniture in their living areas so potential home buyers can see how they can make the house their own.
Bollman says home sellers should be mindful of the following "to-do" list before they put their home on the market:
- Examine corners and armrests of your sofas for signs of wear and tear, and stains.
- Check highly trafficked areas of carpeting, including entry hallway, for stains.
- Look for scratches on your leather furniture caused by pet cats and dogs.
- Try to remove any ink stains left on chairs from a leaky pen.
- Cigarette burns and wine stains can be the most difficult and may require professional help.
Specializing in the repairing, reconditioning, protection and color restoration of leather, vinyl, fabric, plastic and carpeting, Creative Colors International serves residential and commercial markets. For more information, visit www.CreativeColorsIntl.com