Preparing Your Home

Clean Up, Fix Up, or Toss Out? Why? Because it makes a good first impression that lasts right to the negotiation table, and usually this can be done with more elbow grease than hard cash.

 In fact, if you drop by some open houses (you may soon be a buyer yourself), you'll pick up some pointers.

 Consider a number of the following tips to help sell your home quickly, and for more money.

 

1. First impressions are lasting.The front door greets the prospect. Buy a new doormat or possibly paint the front door. Keep lawn trimmed and edged, plant some seasonal flowers. Power wash walks, steps and driveways.

 

2. Regimental Cleaning: Works wonders and invites strong offers. Clean behind appliances, wash blinds, polish and shine everything!

     

3. From top to bottom. Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles. Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls.

 

4. Repairs can make a big difference. Fix leaky faucets, faulty plumbing, loose knobs, sticking doors, windows or minor flaws. New hardware or a set of taps, not expensive & very impressive.

 

5. Make Kitchen, Cupboards & Closets look bigger. Neat well-ordered areas show that space is ample. You are moving, get packing! Store moving boxes neatly in the garage.

 

6. Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Display fresh towels.

 

7. Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Attractive bedspreads and decorative pillows work wonders.

 

8. Excess Family Photos and Ornaments are distracting and do not add to a sale.

 

9. Let the sunshine in and turn on a few lights. Open blinds and let prospects see how cheerful your home can be.

 

10. Decorate for a quick sale.Depending on time frame, energy and resources: Faded walls and woodwork, flooring & countertops reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospective buyer how your home could look. We typically offer, complimentary Design Consultation.              

 

11. Music is mellow. Turn off the television and have only soft music on the radio or stereo.

 

12. Pets: Keep them out of the way, preferably out of the house. Many people are sensitive to animals being in the home.

 

13. Sellers Stay In the background. It's best to leave the house! Three can be a crowd. The REALTOR knows the buyer’s requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home.

 

14. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Offering furniture to the potential buyer before the purchase can often result in a lost sale.

 

15. Remember the golden rule. Treat buyers the way you would want to be treated.