Prepare Your Home for Sale

_{See our Marketing Plans for a free staging walk through, brochures, DVD's and more.}

Check to Make Sure...

• Check to make sure you've done everything you can-inside and out-to make your home as attractive as possible in the eyes of the buyer. First, impressions last, and homes that look their best tend to sell faster and command every dollar they are worth. Use this checklist when preparing and showing your home for sale.

Grounds and Exterior...

• A fresh coat of paint for home, garage, even fences--may be the one improvement that creates the most positive first impression.
• Lawn trimmed, clear debris, trim overgrown shrubs and trees.
• Tidy front entrance. Door brass polished, or rusty mail box painted.
• Screens cleaned. New doormat put out. If possible, keep front curbside free of parked cars. Keep porch swept.
• Plant flowers or set out flower pots.

Inside Your Home...

• Painting inside walls can pay dividends far beyond the time, effort and expense involved. Is it time to clean the carpet?
• Tend to "little things" --oil squeaking doors, tighten loose cabinet knobs, take out removable stains, replace damaged floor tiles.
• All windows, doors and drawers should open and close easily. Fasten loose tread plates, clean soiled carpeting.
• The kitchen is one place in the home that buyers look at closely. Tighten leaky faucets, repair or replace faulty wall switches, outlets, light fixtures and any appliance that will "go with the home".
• The bathroom gets close scrutiny too. Keep it spotless. Tiles scrubbed and grouted, faucets polished, toiletries and medicines in their chest.
• Clean windows, and unclutter closets.
• Clear out accumulated items from cabinets. Consider holding a garage sale prior to showing your home or donate items to charity.
• Air out the home.

When a Realtor Shows Your Home...

• Make home as light, airy and spacious as possible. Draw back drapes. Turn on the lights. Add brighter light bulbs.
• Keep pets out of the way. Soft background music can contribute to a relaxed mood, but a loud ratio, TV or pet will be distracting.
• Let your realtor work for you. A real estate professional can answer questions on price, terms, possession, etc.. and maintain objectivity in responding to buyer objections.