Prepare To Sell

Here are a few great tips on creating an atmosphere that will help motivate buyers to buy your home. Get them in the door and give them a great first impression.  Follow these few simple tips and create the competitive edge that will help you sell your home quickly and for the highest price!

DRIVE UP APPEAL

• Trim trees and shrubs, clean out flowerbeds and add some colorful seasonal flowers and mulch.
• Paint the front door, update the hardware and make sure the doorbell is working properly.
• Wash the mailbox, sweep the front porch and add an attractive doormat to the front door.
  
  

THE BASICS

• Start by airing out the home by opening all the windows. People are turned off by even the slightest odors and the goal is for your home to smell like “nothing at all”. We especially want to eliminate odors caused by pets, soiled diapers and/or cigarettes.
• Wash all the windows in the house—inside and out and remove screens and put them in a safe place in the garage.
• Get the carpets and tile floors professionally cleaned. Clean or re-grout any stained areas. Bare floors should be waxed or polished.
• Put bright daylight bulbs in every socket and make sure there are NO bulbs not working.
• Remove/lock up all prescription drugs, weapons and valuable jewelry.
• Clean out closets, cabinets and drawers. Closets should look like they can hold additional items and EVERYTHING should be taken off the floors. Shelves should have a very few neatly organized and folded items. Use one-color plastic or wood hangers. Remove all wire and extra hangers. Space hangers: “two finger widths” apart.
• Make sure rooms are not overcrowded with furniture and remove any extra furniture or oversized items. Select pieces that look best and store the rest.
• Keep the kitchen sparkling clean. Make sure all small appliances are put away and countertops are cleared of any items. An attractive, clean coffee maker and decorative canister selection is fine. Anything that is smaller than a cantaloupe should be removed and put up. The goal is to un-clutter and create smooth sightlines that do not distract the buyer from seeing the actual house and its features. Remove all magnets and items from front of refrigerator.
• Bathtubs, showers and sinks should be freshly caulked. The grout should be clean and in good condition. There should be no leaks in faucets or drains.
  
  

SUGGESTIONS

• Keep children’s toys out of the front yard, sidewalks and front porch.
• Clean the ashes out of the fireplace.
• Make sure the pull-down staircase is working properly. Be sure there is a light in the attic.
• Pools need to be sparkling clean.
  
  

GO THE EXTRA MILE…

• To add some flair to your house, change out or remove dated wallpaper and replace dated fixtures including light fixtures, plumbing fixtures and door hardware.
• Fresh paint in interior and exterior where needed.
• New appliances in the kitchen can be an exciting feature that can cause a buyer to choose your home over another one.

SHOWING YOUR HOME

• Be as accommodating as possible when an agent calls to show your home.
• When you leave the house in the morning, assume it will be shown and straighten up.
• Open all the window treatments and put the toilet seats down.
• If an agent has called to bring a buyer over, turn all the lights on and the television off. If you want to leave music playing, a slow jazz softly playing in the background is nice.
• Keep pets out of the house and if they bark arrange to have them elsewhere.
• Leave the house when an agent is showing it. Buyers are intimidated when a seller is present and tend to hurry through the house if you are there.
  
  

If you have any questions about these items or preparing your home for sale please give me a call.

Know that I am looking forward to assisting you with your real estate needs and together we will accomplish your goals.