Preparing Your Home to Sell

Exterior:

1. Make sure your lawn is mowed and edged.  Curb appeal is very important.
2. Trim all the trees and shrubs on your property. 
3. Plant some flowers or display large flower pots.  
4. Sweep and clean all sidewalks and pathways. 
5. Repair and clean all windows. 
6. Clean all eaves and drain spouts.  
7.  Peeling or chipped paint should be taken care of for a fresh well cared for look to your home.
8. Clean or replace door knobs.  The entrance to the home should be perfect from the finish on the door to the door knob and locks.  If they are dated and can’t be cleaned, then they should be replaced.  
9. Keep  the Garage Door closed. 

Interior:

1. Remove all family photos, trophies, personal crafts, etc.  Personal items such as pictures, trophies with names, home made crafts, etc. often keep people from being able to visualize themselves in the home and distract from other features of  the home.
2. Remove all “clutter” (ie: newspapers, boxes, etc.,) it will make your home feel bigger. 
3. Clean all your carpets.  If the carpet needs to be replaced, do so and make sure it is a neutral color.  
4. Repair or paint any chipped or dirty walls.  Remember to choose neutral colors when painting your walls; not everyone likes the bold colors.
5. Make doors and windows open correctly and easily. 
6. Repair minor damages to plaster, wallpaper and floor boards.
7. Add some indoor plants.  They add a warm feeling to a home. 

Additional Tips if you are going to have an “OPEN HOUSE”:

1. If possible, keep all pets out of the house.
2. Add some fresh flowers in a vase.  Colorful fresh flowers add warmth to a room.
3. Make all the rooms in your house smell good.  If you don’t like to bake fresh cookies, just add a cinnamon stick to water and put it in the oven on low for a nice smell.  A scented candle also adds a nice aroma.
4. Clean and clear all table tops, desks, shelves, etc.  Clutter takes away from the features of the home.
5. Create as much light as possible.  Open all blinds and curtains. 
6. Add fresh towels to the bathrooms.  
7. Turn off all TVs and computers during showings and Open houses.  They tend to distract the buyer.
8. Have some soft music playing in the background.  It adds  relaxation to the buyers' mood as they go through the home.
9. Never hold an Open House alone .Have a cell phone with you at all times.  When showing the home, always have the buyer enter the room ahead of you so that the exit is never blocked.  If there is a basement in the home, have the lights on and allow the buyer go ahead of you, again always leaving the exit open for you if needed.