Prepare Your Home

First Impressions are Lasting Impressions: Make the most of your first impression. Welcome prospects with a well manicured lawn, neatly trimmed and maintained shrubs, and a clutter free porch. If its is autumn, be sure to rake the leaves, and if its winter, make sure to shovel the driveway and walkways.

Clean it Up!: Clean up the living room, the bathroom, and the kitchen.  Organization is a must! Avoid clutter. If your woodwork or baseboards are scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper or a nice border adds charm and value to your property. Prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear from you how great it "could" look with a little work. This is your chance to shine.

Fix Minor Problems: Dripping water faucets aggravate the nerves; discolored sinks and toilets suggest faulty or worn out plumbing. Fix minor problems. Also, don't leave your prospects in the dark, change burned out light bulbs. If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure that they will also be remembered in the minds of your buyers. Don't try to explain them away when you can easily take care of them.  A little effort on your part can smooth the way towards a closing. Don't let these little problems distract the buyer from what is really important, your home!

Safety is always #1: Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of minor things around the house (roller blades lying around, kid and dog toys, exposed extension cords, slippery rugs). Be sure to make your residence as safe as possible for the unfamiliar visitor.

Lots of Storage Space: Potential buyers are looking for more than merely living space.  They want storage space as well. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items. 

Closet Clean-Up!: Its time to clean the closet. The better closet is the organized closet.  The more organized it is, the bigger it appears. Box up those unwanted items and host a garage sale, or donate them to charity.

Make Your Bathrooms Sparkle and Shine!: Bathrooms sell homes, so let them sparkle and shine. Be sure to check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added interest, display your best towels, smelly soaps, bath rugs, and shower curtains.

Sweet Dreams: There is nothing better than having a dream bedroom. Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedroom. Colorful bedspreads, throw pillows, candles and fresh curtains/blinds are a must.   

Daytime - Let It Shine! During the day, let the sun and natural light shine in. Open those drapes and blinds so prospects can see how bright, cherry and beautiful your home is.

Nighttime - Let it Shine!: Turn on the excitement of the buyers by turning on all of the lights in your house (both inside and outside) when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth and makes prospects feel welcomed into your home.

No Crowds Please!: Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter your home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, potential buyers are often likely to hurry through. Keep the present company to a minimum.

Watch Your Pets: Pets are great companions and important parts of families.  With new people around, pets have a tendency to get underfoot or get overly excited about visitors. Therefore, its very important to keep pets out of the way of Buyers during their showing.

Turn Down the Volume: Turn down the volume of televisions and radios. This causes an wanted distraction during a showing.

Relax & Be Friendly: Do not try to force conversation and do not follow prospective buyers around the house. Prospective buyers want to view your home with a minimum of distraction. Never be offended or apologize for any short comings that a potential buyer may point out to you. Ignore these comments to the extent that you can, and resist the urge to go on the defensive. It is not personal, the buyer may simply be trying to set the stage for future negotiations.