What do buyers look for in terms of the house itself? Many agree that location is a decisive factor, but so are tangibles like the price and condition of the property (is the price worth the additional huge sums of money to put this house back into mint condition? How much time will I need to renovate the dilapidated portions of this house?). Start with the outside of the house and ask yourself the following questions which are the questions that your potential buyer will be asking!:
* Do these garbage cans, discarded wood scraps and building materials strewn about carelessly an indication of the seller’s negligence?
* Are the gutters and roof in place? When was the last time the seller changed the roof? When was the last time the gutters were cleaned? Do the dry leaves in the gutter pose a fire hazard?
* Are there termites and other pests that live here?
* These overgrown bushes and trees are distracting. What is it that the sellers don’t want us to see?
* Is the lawn is looking unhealthy? Is the rest of the house like that?
* Have the patios and decks been converted into storage areas? Why can’t we see what they actually look like?
* The paint is peeling off; is that why the house looks so drab and uninviting?
* Why are there no lights outside the house? Is this the owner’s way of saving on utility bills? Is this a safe neighbourhood?

The above questions are just a few of the many questions buyers are likely to ask with respect to the outside of the house. A house’s exterior constitutes the buyer’s first impression. And we all know what they say about first impressions.

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