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