Preparing Your Home For Sale

Just a weekend or two of work can increase the selling price of your home by thousands of dollars. $1,000 in repairs and a little effort may lead to $10,000 or $20,000 or more in additional selling price. What an easy way to make a lot of extra money! If you don't want to do the work yourself, I can help call around and get someone hired to do it for you. The potential payoff is huge for such a small investment of time and money. It could also make the difference between a quick sale or having your home linger for months on the market.

Curb Appeal

• Mow the lawn
• Trim shrubs
• Make clear edges for gardens and walkways
• Weed and mulch
• Hummingbird feeders and bird houses create a good impression
• Clean away any branches, litter, or toys
• Add color by filling in bare spots with plants
• Remove mildew and moss from walls and walkways. Bleach and water works well.
• Clean any car stains off your driveway. Sometime kitty litter may help
• Stack any woodpile neatly
• Remove any outdoor furniture not in good repair
• If you own a pool, make sure it is clean and sparkles
• Fix or replace any windows or shutters that don't look right
• Replace torn screens and make sure window seems have solid caulking
• Hose off any exterior wood trim
• Repair and broken gutters or eaves
• Clean and remove rust from any air conditioning units
• Paint the front door and mailbox
• Add a new door mat and consider a seasonal decoration or attractive plant
• Shine brass doorknobs
• Make sure the doorbell is in good working order

• Consider a coat of interior paint in light, neutral colors
• Make sure most windows have curtains
• Replace torn shades and broken blinds
• Shampoo the carpet for a better look and fresh smell
• Clean and wax any hardwood floors; make them shine
• Focus special attention on a having a sparking, clean bathroom
• Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, and wash window sills
• Clean the fireplace area
• Organize the closets and pack things you don't store away to make more space
• Remove unused furniture and anything you can to make the illusion of more space
• Repair squeaky doorknobs and sliding doors off their tracks
• Repair leaky taps and any problems related with the bathroom
• Place potpourri around the house for scent
• Secure jewelry, cash, and anything that is both very small and valuable
• In the living room, discard any chipped furniture or worn rugs
• In the dining room, set up the table with your best crystal and silverware
• In the master bedroom, get rid of whatever you can to increase space and openness
• Clean any ashes from the fireplace
• Make sure the home is free from various pet odors

• Make sure your appliances are spotless inside and out
• Clean the top of the refrigerator and under the sink
• Unclutter counter space and store away any countertop appliances
• Organize items in cabinets and pre-pack thing you don't use to make more space

• Concentrate on rust and mildew
• Make sure everything shines. For lime stains, just keeping bleaching until they're gone
• Use thick toilet-boil bleaching products anywhere there is a tough stain in the bathroom
• Make sure all fixtures work well and look well
• Replace loose caulking or grout
• Make sure lighting is bright, but soft

• Sell, give away, or throw out all items you haven't used in the past 2 or 3 years
• Clean oil from the cement floor. Kitty litter may help
• Provide strong overhead lighting
• Organize everything, especially in work areas

• Sell, give away, or throw out all items you haven't used in the past 2 or 3 years
• Create more floor space by placing items on shelves and/or hanging tools on walls
• Change the furnace filter
• Provide strong overhead lighting

• Sell, give away, or throw out all items you haven't used in the past 2 or 3 years
• Pre-pack think that will be moving with you
• Make sure air vents are in working order
• Provide strong overhead lighting

• Have a copy of your most recent utility bill, MLS profile, property survey, etc...
• Open all draperies and shades
• Turn on all lights
• Make sure all beds are make
• The shower door should be open and toilet seats down
• No clutter anyplace
• Give the carpets a quick vacuuming
• Add some strategically placed fresh flowers
• Place an apple or some cinnamon in the oven for a cooking aroma
• Have the fireplace going
• Turn off the television and have light, comfortable music softly playing
• Make sure pets and children are well-behaved or with a neighbor
• Make sure all trash bins are empty and smelling clean. Use a fragrance product if needed.
• Let the buyers explore on their own; don't be constantly looking over their shoulders
• Try not to discuss price or negotiate while showing
• Never apologize for a problem; that only accents the issue
• Never try to sell furniture to a customer until the sale of the property is complete

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