| In order to sell your home quickly, and for the | | | | 7) Pay special attention to the bedrooms. Just like |
| best price, here is a list of things to address | | | | the kitchen and bathroom, comfortable, spacious, |
| BEFORE your agent brings that first potential | | | | and well-organized bedrooms make a positive |
| buyer to look at it. | | | | impression in home buyer's minds, because they |
| 1) Make sure the lawn is mowed, the shrubs are | | | | know they'll be spending a significant amount of |
| trimmed, and the porch is clean and free of | | | | time in them. |
| clutter. If it's fall, rake up the leaves. If it's winter, | | | | 8) Open your curtains during the daytime, to let in |
| keep the walkways clear. Make sure the front | | | | as much light as possible. It gives a positive feeling |
| door is either freshly painted or well-scrubbed. It's | | | | to the home and makes rooms feel more |
| all part of creating a positive first impression as | | | | spacious. |
| potential buyers approach the home. | | | | 9) If the home is being shown at night, turn on |
| 2) Inside, clean the house thoroughly, especially | | | | every light inside and outside of the house. You'll |
| the bathroom and kitchen. Make sure the | | | | be brightening the mood, as well as showing off |
| woodwork is either cleaned or freshly painted. | | | | your color scheme and wallpaper designs to their |
| Those two areas are very important in most | | | | best advantage. |
| people's minds, and you need to pay special | | | | 10) Don't have a bunch of people around when |
| attention to them to create a good impression. | | | | the home is being shown. In fact, it's a good idea |
| 3) Make sure all the faucets work (without | | | | to make an excuse to leave yourself, so that |
| dripping) and all light bulbs come on when their | | | | potential buyers are free to speak freely about |
| switches are turned on. Little things like that can | | | | what they see as they tour the home. |
| be distracting to buyers. | | | | 11) If you have pets, keep them away from the |
| 4) Make certain that every closet door and | | | | buyers. In fact, it's worthwhile to take them with |
| cabinet opens easily, and closes securely. Doors | | | | you when you excuse yourself and make your |
| that don't open or close properly give a negative | | | | exit during the showing. |
| impression to buyers. | | | | When getting ready to show your home, always |
| 5) Don't let your kids leave out their roller skates | | | | point toward creating a positive impression on |
| or skateboards, and if there are slippery rugs that | | | | prospective buyers. They want what you would |
| you've learned not to step on over the years, | | | | want, they'll notice what you'd notice, so walk |
| remove them so potential buyers don't go flying. | | | | through your home and try to see it from a |
| 6) Organize closets, basements, and attics, so | | | | stranger's perspective. Ask other people to walk |
| that they look larger. Just like you, buyers are | | | | through and tell you the negative things they |
| always looking for room to store things. If you | | | | notice. Then address those things. It will all help |
| have so much stuff that you can't do that, | | | | you to sell your home--quickly, and at the best |
| consider having a garage sale, renting a storage | | | | possible price. |
| space, or calling the Salvation Army truck. | | | | Copyright © Jeanette J. |