Getting Ready To Sell Your Home?

1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE THE MOST LASTING. Remember that when a prospect comes to look at your home—the first impression (curb appeal) is vital. Your front lawn and other landscaping should be neatly trimmed and mowed. Make certain that your yard is clean of refuse and leaves. The walk should be swept . The front door must be clean and fresh looking, the doorbell in working order.

2. DECORATING FOR QUICKER SALE. Faded walls and worn woodwork will reduce the appeal of your house. Why describe how your house could look… when you can show how it looks with just a reasonable amount of redecoration. A minor investment in paint and wallpaper will pay bigger dividends to you in the form of a better price and quicker sale.

3. LET THE SUN SHINE IN. Open drapes and curtains. Clean the windows so that a prospect can see how bright and cheerful your house is. Dark and dreary rooms do not appeal to most home-buying prospects.

4. DON’T BE A DRIP. Fix leaky faucets; dripping water suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing (major repair bills); discolored, rust-stained sinks are also warning signs, so they should be properly cleaned.

5. LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT. Loose knobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers, wobbly hinges, stuck windows—all are negative factors. Take a few minutes to check and repair all these seemingly minor flaws, since they do detract from the value of your house.

6. SAFETY FIRST. Keep stairways and corridors clear and clean of clutter. In addition to being unattractive, clutter causes accidents.

7. TOP TO BOTTOM. Let prospects see the full value of your attic, basement, garage and other utility/storage spaces by removing junk, cartons and other articles. Neatly stack any cartons. If the storage spaces are dark and dreary, a coat of paint or extra lighting can do wonders.

8. LOVE BIG CLOSETS! We all love closets and you can make them look even bigger by having them clean, neat and well organized. Get rid of old clothes and cartons that take away from the spacious look.

9. BATHROOMS SELL HOMES. Make bathrooms sparkle. Clean stained sinks and bowls, repair any damaged or discolored claulking around bathtubs and showers. Be sure towels and area rugs are bright and sparkly; make certain all light fixtures and bulbs work.

10. WAKE UP YOUR BEDROOMS. Keep bedrooms bright and cheerful. After the prospects are gone, you can close the drapes. Remove excess furniture to avoid a crowded look; use attractive and colorful bed linens and spreads.