| Dress For Success | | | | closing. |
| Before you put your house on the market, | | | | A few gallons of stain or paint can add |
| its best to put a shine to it. | | | | real impact to a fence. |
| The way you present your property to | | | | The Interior |
| prospective buyers can make all the | | | | Inside, everything should be spotless. |
| difference. | | | | Spending $100 to have someone do heavy |
| Without investing in expensive and | | | | "spring cleaning" if needed can bring a |
| time-consuming renovation and | | | | return many times over in the sales |
| redecoration, | | | | price and time on the market. |
| it's still possible to show your home to | | | | A fresh coat of light colored paint on |
| its very best advantage. | | | | the walls is always recommended. |
| Curb Appeal | | | | Painting only the trim and the doors |
| That first impression when prospective | | | | will add a lot. |
| buyers drive up is very important. | | | | Check to see that all doors open and |
| If they don't find the outside | | | | close freely. Oil any squeaky doors. |
| appealing, they won't be interested in | | | | Replace any burned out light bulbs. |
| seeing what's inside. | | | | Brighter lights enhance many rooms. |
| The Yard | | | | Steam clean the carpets if new carpeting |
| Mowed lawns, trimmed shrubbery and clean | | | | is not possible and to help eliminate |
| windows are a start. | | | | any pet odors. Wash and wax linolium |
| Planting a few flowers or plants can do | | | | floors. Repair or replace damaged or |
| a lot to a front yard. | | | | missing tiles. |
| Fertilize and water the lawn and plants | | | | Bathrooms should sparkle. Remove soap |
| thoroughly 2-3 weeks before putting the | | | | scum and mildew. Replace old looking |
| house on the market. | | | | toilet seats. Kitchens should be clean |
| Clean up oil spots on the driveway. Make | | | | and bright. Clean oven and stove top. |
| sure the garage door opens easily. | | | | Exhaust fans should be free of grease |
| Swimming pools should be clean along | | | | and dust. Clear all unnecessary objects |
| with the pump and filters. | | | | from the countertops. |
| Clean up and throw away any junk or | | | | Keep curtains and blinds open and |
| items laying around the yard. | | | | interior lights on for a bright warm |
| Now is a good time to have a yard sale, | | | | cozy feeling. |
| get rid of those items that you don't | | | | Store stuff and clutter under beds, not |
| plan | | | | in closets. |
| to take with you. Do this before you put | | | | Focus Rooms |
| your house on the market to greatly | | | | Buyers react most strongly to kitchens, |
| reduce the "detrimental clutter look". | | | | bathrooms and closets, so it pays to |
| Start packing away little things that | | | | concentrate your efforts here. |
| you don't use everyday. | | | | Sometimes just switching door handles, |
| Recycle magazines, newspapers, bottles, | | | | knobs, and light switch plates is a |
| cans and so on. | | | | dramatic improvement. Replacing new |
| Pet droppings can easily turn the buyer | | | | shower curtains and sink faucets can pay |
| back to the front door. | | | | off. |
| The Exterior | | | | Tip |
| If your house could use a paint job and | | | | Preview the competition's open houses to |
| you don't have the time or money, some | | | | see what you are up against in both |
| times hosing it off(from the bottom up) | | | | pricing |
| and repainting the trim will update the | | | | and condition. Potential buyers will be |
| entire facade. | | | | previewing these and more. |
| At least paint the side facing the | | | | In General |
| street. | | | | Try to look at your house "through the |
| A clean front porch with a fresh looking | | | | buyer's eyes" as though you've never |
| front door that opens smoothly is a | | | | seen it before. |
| must. | | | | Lockbox is #1 Importance. "If we don't |
| Any broken windows should be fixed now | | | | have it, agents won't show it. |
| as they will most likely be before | | | | |