Preparing Your Home For Sale
Don’t just show your house, show if off!
You don’t get a second chance to make a good impression!
Exterior…
- Lawn carefully mowed, edged, fertilized and watered.
- Trimmed trees and shrubs, flower beds edged, weeded and cultivated.
- Driveways and walks free of snow or grass clippings.
- Exterior house paint in good condition and clean, especially the front door.
- All door locks open properly and easily.
- Roof in good condition.
- Screens and screen doors repaired.
- All exterior lighting in working condition, with fresh bulbs.
- Absence of clutter in yard and driveway.
Interior…
- Walls clean and unmarked preferably freshly painted with neutral colors.
- Windows clean inside and out.
- All light fixtures working and fresh bulbs in each.
- Plumbing in good repair.
- No cooking, smoking, pet or other objectionable odors.
- Sinks and tubs stain-free; faucets in good repair.
- Caulking in tubs and showers in good repair.
- Kitchen and baths sparkling clean; no clutter on counter-tops.
- All clutter removed from closets, attic, basement, garage and other storage areas.
Ask your Realtor what should be boxed up to give your home a more spacious look.
During Showings…
- Open draperies and curtains.
- Turn on enough lights to brighten every corner, day and night.
- Remove dirty dishes.
- Make beds.
- Noise is distracting. Be sure TV and radios are turned off, although soft background music is acceptable.
- It’s best to keep pets out of the house. Even the friendliest pets become anxious when strangers appear.
- Put away valuables such as jewelry and cash, or remove completely.
- Never enter into conversation with a prospect. Let the Realtor who is showing your home answer any questions the prospective buyers may have. It is best you leave while the house is being shown.