Absolute Basics
Air out the home. Most people are turned off by even the smallest odor. They must be eliminated, especially those created by dogs and cats, soiled diapers and/or cigarettes. Change the litter box daily!

Wash all the windows, inside and out.

If the carpets have not been cleaned in more than a year, now is the time to have them cleaned. Bare floors should be waxed or polished.

Place bright light bulbs in every light socket. Buyers like bright and cheery.

Clean closets, cabinets and drawers. Closets should look like they have enough room to hold additional items. (Half-empty is the impression that will make buyers think "how roomy!") Get everything off the floor in closets. If shelves are piled to the ceiling, you may need to have a garage sale or place some things you only use seasonally in a storage unit.

Look at each room as if you were a stranger. Too much furniture causes a room to "shrink." Select pieces that look the best and store the rest.

Keep the kitchen sparkling clean. This includes all appliances. Keep cupboards neat with room to spare and make sure the floors gleam.

Bathtubs, showers and sinks should be freshly caulked. Grout should be clean and in good condition. Fix any leaking faucets or traps.

Repair any faulty light switches.

Remove clutter from all hallways and stairs.

Oil door hinges, and tighten door knobs and cabinet pulls.

Straighten up the garage. Paint, wash, and fix garage doors and windows.

Give the home an overall cleaning.

A few more suggestions…
If you have limited counter space in the kitchen or bath, put all unnecessary items away. (What looks "empty" to you will seem "spacious" to a buyer.)

Keep children’s toys out of the front yard, on sidewalks and the front porch.

Clean the ashes out of all wood-burning fireplaces.

Make sure the pull-down staircase is working property and that there is a working light in the attic.

Are you willing to go the extra mile?
If you really want to add flair to your home, consider changing dated wallpaper in the entry, kitchen or bathrooms and replacing outdated light fixtures for more modern ones.

Apply fresh paint on the interior and/or exterior, if needed.

New appliances in the kitchen can be an exciting feature that can make the difference between a buyer and one who chooses another home.

Before a buyer arrives to look at your home...

When you leave the house in the morning or during the day, leave it as if you expect it to be shown in your absence. This may happen!

Showing your home...
If at all possible, leave your home during showings. Buyers will stay longer and feel more comfortable when you are not at home.

If it is not practical or convenient for you to leave,

Staging a home for showing is not the same as living in a home. I will be happy to work with you to suggest how best to stage your home for sale. One child put it succinctly: "when you sell your home, no more sleeping in late!" Remember, too, that the quicker it sells, the sooner you can go back to “living” there and planning your move to your next home!

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