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| Selling Tips - Getting Your Home Ready |
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Clean! Clean! |
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Have the carpet shampooed; wax the floors, wash the walls, windows, blinds,
drapes and lighting fixtures. Consider engaging a cleaning service, recognizing
that it is a justified moving expense. |
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Kitchen & Bathrooms |
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Clear off counter tops. Leave your canisters and little else. Maximize the
available counter space. These rooms should be gleaming. If unsightly, have the
tub re-caulked and remove mineral deposits and grime from the shower walls.
Clean the stove, microwave and refrigerator. |
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Primary Storage Area |
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Like the garage, its time has come to be liberated. Remember, you can do it
now and benefit with a more attractive home on the market, or you can do it
several months from now, in the process of moving when there is no advantage.
Do it now. |
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Repairs |
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Identify and repair dripping faucets, sticking or creaking doors, etc. When
people see areas of disrepair they begin to wonder whether there may be other
unseen problems. |
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Closets |
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Remove out the season clothing. Organize your clothing and the shoes on the
floor. Remove all clutter from cabinets and closets. |
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Furniture |
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The less furniture, the larger a room appears to be
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A Light Appearance |
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As a rule, do everything to lighten the appearance of the home. Raise the
blinds, open the drapes and use light colors. Repaint any room beginning to
look shabby. |
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Walk the Property |
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With a pad and pencil; list anything that you think is less than satisfactory
with out regard to cost or time. You can review the list afterwards to
determine what you can and can't repair. |
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The House |
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Take a look as you walk the property. Clean anything that looks unkempt or
dirty; repair or replace anything that looks loose, dingy, rusted or broken.
Make sure the door bell works. Replace a tired-looking mailbox; clean the
exterior light fixtures and wash the windows. Try to spot hanging or rusty
gutters, crooked antenna, loose shingles or shutters. |
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The Yard |
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Turn the weed the beds; trim the trees and shrubs. Lay in ground cover. Mend
the fence, fix the gate latch. Pick up litter. Consider a landscaping/lawn
service. |
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Outdoor Furniture |
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Examine and spot paint your out door furniture. If it's rusty or
un-repairable consider disposing of the pieces. |
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Front Entry |
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It's the first thing your buyers see as they stand and wait for the door to
open. It's worth the extra effort to spruce it up. |
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The Garage |
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The time has come. Discard virtually everything in the garage that hasn't
been used for a year. Wash it down. |
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| Selling Tips - Preparing For A Showing |
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Shows Well |
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This is very important. We're all aware that it can't always be perfect.
After all, you and your family must live there, too. Develop a routine that
will allow you to pick up and be prepared to show in a reasonable period
without duress… a 45-minute countdown, for example. This means that certain
things must be done in advance. For example, beds should be made first thing in
the morning and dirty dishes placed in the dishwasher after use so that you
needn't rush around tending to this matter at the last moment. This way you can
prepare for each showing in an organized, un-hassled routine. |
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Pick Up Every Room |
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Check counters, floors, halls and stairs. Straighten up or remove newspapers,
magazines, mail, toys, clothing, recreation gear, snack glasses and dishes. |
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Turn On All Lights |
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Even those in closets and storage rooms. Electric lights have an amazing
capability for creating an illusion of lightness, airiness and largeness. |
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Open All Drapes, Shades and Blinds |
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Do all that you can to create a bright and light ambiance. THE BEDROOMS Make
up the beds, neatly and attractively, early in the morning. This is a job you
don't want to have to do when you learn that the buyers will be there within
the hour. |
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The Kitchen |
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Be sure all countertops are clear and "squeaky clean." Wipe down appliances.
Be sure all dishes are in the dishwasher or cleaned and put away. The sink
should be clear and clean. |
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Clean Air |
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Keep air fresheners in closets, bathrooms and kitchen. Be especially careful
to keep kitchen odors fresh: coffee brewing or a cinnamon coffee cake baking in
the oven have a lasting, inviting effect. |
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Music, Music, Music |
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Perhaps you can't have something baking in the oven every time, but soft,
pleasant background music may be very effective. |
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Fireplace |
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A warm, cozy fire may be just the extra touch that turns the trick. |
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Air Conditioning |
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If the weather is warm and sultry, have it operating. |
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The Bathrooms |
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Keep a set of fresh, attractive towels in each room that you can change
instantly. |
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The Entryway |
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It's the first and last impression that your buyers will have of your home -
make it a good one! Check it regularly for sharpness. |
