Getting Ready to Sell Your Home!

Selling your home can be a big production. And like any great theater production, we must properly "set the stage" so your home will shine in the limelight. By setting the stage, I simply mean preparing to show and sell your home. I am not suggesting costly repairs or updates (unless not doing such work would impede the sale of your home) but merely some sparkle and shine that can help your house stand out among the competition. A small investment in time and money can give your home a solid advantage over competing properties, helping sell your home faster and for the highest possible price.

Generate "Curb Appeal"
Stand across the street from your home, does it look inviting?

• Clean porch and foyer of cobwebs and clutter
• Ensure door bell works, sweep walkways of debris
• Paint or varnish front door and trim if worn and weathered
• Repair worn or difficult locks for smooth access
• Keep lawns mowed and green, have trees trimmed if needed
• Trim hedges and shrubs, cutback all overgrowth
• Weed and edge gardens, plant bright or blooming flowers
• Clear driveway of any old oil stains, seal any cracks in pavement
• Store all toys and bicycles out of sight, put garden equipment away after use
• Clean out garage, shed and rear yard, remove clutter or have a garage sale
• Repair cracked windows or torn screens, reglaze blistered or loose window caulking
• Replace loose and damaged or missing roof shingles, siding or trim work
• Clean out all downspouts and gutters, inspect chimney for cracks
• Make repairs where needed

Keep it simple on the inside
with bright, neutral and uncluttered rooms

• Clear all rooms, halls and stairs of clutter, store surplus furniture offsite
• Clear closets of unnecessary clothing, remove empty boxes and containers
• Replace furnace filters, clean around heater ducts
• Tighten door knobs and latches, replace missing handles
• Make sure all cabinet and closet doors don't stick and close tight
• Repair cracked plaster or holes in drywall, touch up paint where needed
• Repair seals around tubs and basins, repair leaking taps and toilets
• Replace defective light bulbs, fix broken outlets or switches
• Oil squeaking doors, repair squeaking floor boards
• Clean and freshen bathrooms, clear kitchen counter and stovetops
• Eliminate bad smells and odors, shampoo carpets
• Take down family photos, remove knick-knacks
• Remove electrical extension cords and slippery throw rugs
• Make bedrooms spacious, use colorful bedspreads

Getting Ready to Show Your Home!

Showing your home is a great thing. It means you're one step closer to selling your home. Although it can be difficult to watch strangers walk through your home, the "walk through" is an integral part of the process. You'll want to keep the buyer focused on the house not the things that make a house a home. Here are some guidelines you can use to help you cope with the situation and speed up the sales process.

Make sure the home is "easy to show"
with as few showing restrictions as possible

• If you are unable to leave during any showing, stay in background
• Don't follow prospects through home, it will make the prospect feel uncomfortable
• If it makes you feel uncomfortable, refer all questions to your agent
• Don't apologize for the home's shortcomings or appearance
• Be courteous and friendly but don't force conversation with the prospects
• Try not to reminisce about happy times in the house with the prospects
• Avoid reciting a list of all the improvements you've made to the home
• Avoid a crowded house during a showing; people can be clutter, too
• Keep the volume down; loud music and blaring TV are a distraction
• Put pets outside or safely stored away, don't let the dog scare a buyer away
• Turn on lights both inside and out, that will add warmth and color to your home
• Turn on air conditioner or heater, depending on the season
• Open the drapes and let the sun shine in, avoid dark and dreary rooms
• Put on soft, relaxing music, if possible, light the fireplace
• Avoid scented candles or fragrances; it may appear that you're covering up an unpleasant odor
• Have garage opener and other door keys readily available
• Pick up dirty laundry and no dirty dishes in sink
• Keep bikes, toys and trashcans, etc. off front lawn and stored away
• First things first, don't distract prospects with offers to buy furnishings
• Attendance in not mandatory for any showing, take a walk or visit a neighbor
• Serious buyers may come back two, even three times; don't let it bother you
• The buyers are comparing the homes on the market with their specific needs. Before they can submit an offer to purchase, they need to visualize the property as their home, not yours.
• Try not to distract them; they just must buy it!