| 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 |
| The way you present your property to | | | | impact 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 |
| it's still possible to show your home to its | | | | "spring cleaning" if needed can bring a |
| very best advantage. | | | | return many times over in the sales price and |
| | | | time on the market. |
| Curb Appeal | | | | |
| | | | A fresh coat of light colored paint on the |
| That first impression when prospective buyers | | | | walls is always recommended. |
| drive up is very important. | | | | |
| | | | Painting only the trim and the doors will add |
| If they don't find the outside appealing, | | | | a lot. |
| they won't be interested in seeing what's | | | | |
| inside. | | | | Check to see that all doors open and close |
| | | | freely. Oil any squeaky doors. |
| The Yard | | | | |
| | | | Replace any burned out light bulbs. Brighter |
| Mowed lawns, trimmed shrubbery and clean | | | | lights enhance many rooms. |
| windows are a start. | | | | |
| | | | Steam clean the carpets if new carpeting is |
| Planting a few flowers or plants can do a lot | | | | not possible and to help eliminate any pet |
| to a front yard. | | | | odors. Wash and wax linolium floors. Repair |
| | | | or replace damaged or missing tiles. |
| Fertilize and water the lawn and plants | | | | |
| thoroughly 2-3 weeks before putting the house | | | | Bathrooms should sparkle. Remove soap scum |
| on the market. | | | | and mildew. Replace old looking toilet seats. |
| | | | Kitchens should be clean and bright. Clean |
| Clean up oil spots on the driveway. Make sure | | | | oven and stove top. Exhaust fans should be |
| the garage door opens easily. | | | | free of grease and dust. Clear all |
| | | | unnecessary objects from the countertops. |
| Swimming pools should be clean along with the | | | | |
| pump and filters. | | | | Keep curtains and blinds open and interior |
| | | | lights on for a bright warm cozy feeling. |
| Clean up and throw away any junk or items | | | | |
| laying around the yard. | | | | Store stuff and clutter under beds, not in |
| | | | closets. |
| Now is a good time to have a yard sale, get | | | | |
| rid 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 |
| "detrimental clutter look". | | | | concentrate your efforts here. |
| | | | |
| Start packing away little things that you | | | | Sometimes just switching door handles, knobs, |
| don't use everyday. | | | | and light switch plates is a dramatic |
| | | | improvement. Replacing new shower curtains |
| Recycle magazines, newspapers, bottles, cans | | | | and sink faucets can pay off. |
| and so on. | | | | |
| | | | Tip |
| Pet droppings can easily turn the buyer back | | | | |
| to the front door. | | | | Preview the competition's open houses to see |
| | | | what you are up against in both pricing |
| The Exterior | | | | |
| | | | and condition. Potential buyers will be |
| If your house could use a paint job and you | | | | previewing these and more. |
| don't have the time or money, some times | | | | |
| hosing it off(from the bottom up) and | | | | In General |
| repainting the trim will update the entire | | | | |
| facade. | | | | Try to look at your house "through the |
| | | | buyer's eyes" as though you've never seen it |
| At least paint the side facing the street. | | | | before. |
| | | | |
| A clean front porch with a fresh looking | | | | Lockbox is #1 Importance. "If we don't have |
| front door that opens smoothly is a must. | | | | it, agents won't show it. |