You have only one chance to make a first impression with everything that you do in your life, and when it comes to selling your house, nothing is more important than making that very first impression with a prospective purchaser.As soon as a prospective purchaser approaches your house and sees it for the first time, they will immediately start assessing the factors that will help them make that very important decision with regards to their interest or non interest in your property.Quite often that decision is made with the very first impressions.In this economy and with the property market being as it is right now with lots of choice, buyers are being very selective. So it’s totally up to you, the seller, to make your property look its best in any and every way that you can.As a prospective purchaser approaches your house for the first time they should see that the hedges are trimmed and the grass cut with neat flower beds.The roof should look bright and white and in good condition with any problem gutters or downspouts having been cleared with no problems that are likely to drive a purchaser away.The outside walls of your houses should be clean or preferably freshly painted.Broken windows, shutters and storm shutters should be repaired and be free of the dirt and grime that builds up over time.By the time a buyer walks into your house he/she has probably already decided if this house is potentially for them or not, so it’s up to you, the owner/seller, to once again making sure that that first impression is a good one.If you make a good first impression, the kitchen is usually the next focal point of the house and should be clean, uncluttered, pristine, and smelling good — a pot of soup cooking slowly on the stove, baking cookies, or something similar, gives a home a welcome feeling as soon as someone walks in.Of course this is not always possible, so citrus smelling air fresheners are good as well.Ensure that all rooms are free of clutter with every day articles put away tidily.Storage rooms and closets should be well organised and not over crowed.The floors, walls and ceilings must be clean, and the cob webs and dirt cleaned off ceiling fans and on the inside of the windows and window sills. If you have any carpets ensure that they are clean and smelling fresh.The bathroom sinks and tubs and counter tops should all be clean and once again smelling good as you walk into them, any drips or leaks fixed and stains removed.Laundry appliances should be clean and dirty laundry put away.Your realtor has years of experience with regards to all of this and can help you put together a punch list of things to do before your home goes on the market so that the first, second and third impressions a prospective purchaser has when approaching and entering your house are good ones.If that first impression is a good one, as a prospective purchaser walks into your home, then you have passed an important hurdle to successfully selling your property.For any further information and advice with regards to this and/or any other questions or queries that you have with regards to buying, selling, or renting properties, your favourite realtor will be happy to hear from you and help you in any way they can.Wishing all readers a very Merry Christmas and a very healthy and happy 2013 and beyond.This week’s column is submitted by Steve Taylor of Moura & Associates, 504 7253 or e-mail stevetay@mouraandassociates.com