Dress Your Home for Success

First impressions make a big difference in showing and selling your home. In order to help you sell your home as quickly as possible, I have compiled the following list of suggestions for my clients to consider. These suggestions are geared toward showing your home to its best advantage, keeping in mind what a buyer will be looking for.

General clean-up

Exterior - The yard and the front door of your home are the first features to be seen by a prospective buyer. Keep the outdoors as neat and tidy as possible.

• Keep lawn mowed and trimmed.
• Plant flowers in tubs or large pots if you have no garden.
• In autumn, rake leaves.
• In winter, remove all snow and ice from driveway, walks and steps.

Interior - Bright, clean and tidy are the essential qualities to enhance the interior of your home. If there are small, inexpensive repairs that need to be made, make them. Where a touch of fresh paint may brighten a dark space, do it.

• Wipe down walls and woodwork.
• Wash windows and light fixtures.
• Wash and, where necessary, wax floors.
• Clean kitchen appliances, cupboards and counter tops frequently.
• Fix leaky faucets, loose doorknobs, sticky drawers and warped cabinet doors.
• Keep stairways free of clutter for neatness and safety.
• Remove unwanted clutter from all storage spaces closets, attic, basement.
• Use an air freshener to eliminate unpleasant household odors (tobacco, cooking, pets).
• In bathrooms, keep all fixtures sparkling; use a mildew and mold cleaner; hang your prettiest towels; add some green plants.

Basement

• Remove all unnecessary accumulation. Have a tag sale; send it to consignment shops; hire a "clutter" remover.
• If there is any dampness, turn on your dehumidifier.
• Wipe off all appliances with ammonia cleanser including the furnace.

Garage

• Tidy up the walls
• Wash doors and windows
• Clean floor of any oil or other residue that may have leaked from your cars.

Repairs and Maintenance Exterior

• Repair broken walkways, loose steps or patio slates.
• Replace or remove damaged fences.
• Replace or repair failing gutters and leaders, cracked or broken windows, torn screens.

Repairs and Maintenance Interior

• Repair or replace broken light fixtures.
• Tighten loose stair railings and banisters.
• Replace broken bath tiles and caulk where needed.
• Check that all appliances are in working condition.

Pet Control - Household Pets

• Use air freshener. Pet odors are usually undetected by owners, but prospective buyers may be
• offended.
• Keep dishes, litter boxes and other equipment out of sight.
• Try to keep dogs confined while your house is being shown. Many prospects may be frightened of
• dogs.

Words of Caution

After a showing, the buyer may phone for information or for a commitment that may be detrimental to your best interests. Please refer such telephone calls to the Realtor.

For your own safety, NEVER let anyone into your home without an appointment. Always inspect identification presented to be sure that it is from the listing office or a cooperating Realtor.