By Brenda Farrington, Nebraska Home Sales REALTOR®

There are many factors that can influence a buyer to purchase a specific home. Some of those reasons you can’t control, but one you can: you can make sure your home is bright, clean, organized and well maintained.

What does the buyer think about when he walks into the prospective home? For many years I have told my buyers that, “you will know when you first walk into the home that the house is right for you.” Now I know some of you are thinking I’m a little crazy but let me explain what I’m talking about.

When a buyer first walks into a home you want them to feel welcome and nothing does that better than a house that is bright. This does not mean you have to paint the inside of your home neon yellow. Turn on all the lights, right down to the light under the microwave, and this will help give your home a warm and inviting feeling. Also, open all the curtains and blinds because it can be a little depressing walking through a dark home that feels like a cave.

Give your walls a fresh coat of paint, shampoo the carpets, and clean like you have never cleaned before. Fix even the smallest items as the buyer may be looking for something they can use to discount their offer. A simple $100 repair could cost you much more than that when you get an offer.

When your home “talks to the buyer” we want it to say, “Look at me. I’m bright, clean and my owners have taken good care of me,” NOT “Come on in I know I’m a little messy and cluttered right now and need a few things done but buy me and then I can be your problem.”