Curb Appeal - First Impressions Count When Selling A Condo Or
By Raynor James, Fri Dec 9th

Curb appeal is the key to selling a townhouse or condo. Sincecommon areas are controlled by a homeowners' association, payingattention to details can make all the difference.

Townhouses

The same rules that apply to selling a house apply to townhousesexcept that the scale of things has to fit a smaller space andnothing can go around to the side unless you own an end unit.Townhouses do have some unique challenges. What the neighbors doaffects how your home "shows" from the curb.

You



can ask for your neighbors' cooperation if you know and likethem. You can explain that you're selling your home and aregoing to try hard to get your trash containers and children'sbikes policed up quickly to make a good first impression onpotential buyers. You would really appreciate it if they'd be asvigilant as possible. Maybe even ask if they'd mind if you tooktheir trash containers to the back if you get home first(assuming you can do it without going through private space).

If your neighbors aren't pleasant, just try to keep thingspicked up the best you can and sweep the public walk in front ofthe entire building you're located in. You might even want tocut the grass and edge it along the public walk and curb infront of the building. Anything you can think of to do to makethings look tidy and well cared for without starting World WarIII is good.

Condos and Apartments

All the things already mentioned apply to the extent they can.Apartments and apartment style condos often have a lot of commonareas. It's not typically your job to take care of them.However, if it is not being done well, do it yourself. Vacuumthe foyer or hall approaching your unit. Shampoo the carpet ifthat's needed. Sweep the walks out front. Windex the glass inthe front door. In a perfect world, all those things will betaken care of and you won't have to bother at all. If your worldisn't perfect, build a fire under the person or committeeresponsible, or do it yourself.

Good curb appeal can make the difference between a potentialbuyer's driving on by or his stopping to come in to look at yourhome. Make your home the one the buyer is anxious to see.

About the author:Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - providing FSBOhomes For Sale By Owner. Visit our "sell my home" page athttp://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your homefor free for one month. Visithttp://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale byowner.

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