After placing your home on our site to get great
exposure ... here are some useful tips to prepare
your home for potential buyers to see it.
Exterior
touch-ups:
Your home's exterior is the first thing a potential
buyer sees, when visiting your home. The following
tips will help you increase your home's curbside
appeal and create a strong first impression to potential
home buyers.
Fence
Replace missing slats, stakes and posts. Repair
broken hinges and paint or stain the fence if necessary.
Yard
Mow, trim and fertilize the lawn. Weed flower beds
and replace dead plants and trees.
Driveway, Garage, Carport
Clean up grease or oil spots on concrete surfaces.
Make sure the garage door opens freely and the automatic
door opener is working. Provide an unobstructed
view of your home from the street by not parking
cars, boats or other vehicles in the driveway.
Front Entry
Polish door handles and door knockers. Replace
worn or broken items, such as an unsightly mailbox
or rusty doorbell. Be sure porch lights are working
and add welcoming features such as a new door mat
and flowering plants.
Siding and Trim
Consider painting the highlight features of your
home, such as trim work, shutters, gutters, down
spouts and railings. If necessary, add a fresh coat
of exterior paint to the exterior siding.
Roof
Remove debris such as tree branches and leaves.
Straighten the TV antenna. Make any necessary repairs
to worn shingles or cracked surfaces.
Patio, Deck
Flowering plants and outdoor furniture add appeal.
Remove any unnecessary items such as gardening equipment.
Tidy any visible items, such as an outdoor grill
or barbecue.
Interior touch-ups:
Experience shows that creating a house warming feeling
inside your home increases its desirability. View
your home with a critical eye. Clean, complete minor
repairs, and add finishing touches.
Doors and Windows
Consider adding a fresh coat of paint to your front
door. Polish brass fixtures and be sure door locks
work properly. Oil hinges to both doors and windows.
Keep stairways tidy and secure handrail. Repair
or replace bent or damaged screens and window glass.
Cut back outdoor plants that restrict natural light.
Keep windows clean and tidy with draperies firmly
affixed and in proper working order.
Floors and Carpets
Repair or replace missing or damaged tile, hardwood,
vinyl and baseboards. Steam-clean or shampoo carpets.
Secure loose carpeting and replace damaged areas.
Be conscious of odors caused by dampness, high-traffic
areas or pets.
Closets and Storage Areas
Ample storage space increases the desirability
of the home. Keep closets tidy. Discard any unnecessary
items and consider storing those you do not use
frequently.
Bedrooms and Living Areas
Keep living areas clean and inviting. Arrange furniture
to allow a spacious atmosphere. Make beds, arrange
couch cushions, dust shelves, vacuum carpets and
touch-up walls with paint or spackling as necessary.
Wallpaper should be clean and adhere smoothly to
the walls. Finishing touches such as flowers or
candles add to the home's house warming appeal.
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Clear counters, drawers and cabinets of unnecessary
items. Clean soap dishes, mirrors, faucets and appliances
(inside and out). Store cleaning supplies and hang
freshly washed towels. Be conscious of odors caused
by dampness, hampers, garbage and various foods.
Counters and Cabinets
Store infrequently used counter-top items to allow
a spacious look in the kitchen and bathroom. Keep
drawers and cabinets tidy and organized.
Garage or Workshop
Items should be neatly stored in shelving or wall
units. Allow appropriate space for the home buyer
to visualize their vehicle or workbench. Consider
moving excess or over-sized items to mini-storage.
SHOWING YOUR HOME
With buyers, first impressions count. A small investment
in time and money will give your home an edge over
other listings in the area when the time comes to
show it to a prospective buyer.
(A) PREPARE YOUR HOME
FOR SHOW
General Maintenance
Oil squeaky doors
Tighten doorknobs
Replace burned-out lights
Clean and repair windows
Touch up chipped paint
Repair cracked plaster
Repair leaking taps and toilets Spic and Span
Shampoo carpets
Clean washer, dryer, and tubs
Clean furnace
Clean fridge and stove
Clean and freshen bathrooms
The Buying Atmosphere
Turn on all lights
Light fireplace
Open drapes in the day time
Play quiet background music
Keep pets outdoors
Curb Appeal
Cut lawns
Trim shrubs
Weed and edge gardens
Pick up any litter
Clear walk and driveway of leaves
Repair gutters and eaves
Touch up exterior paint
The Spacious Look
Clear stairs and halls
Store excess furniture
Clear counters and stove
Make closets neat and tidy
The First Impression
Clean and tidy entrance
Ensure doorbell functions
Polish door hardware
(B) SHOW YOUR HOME WELL
When your house is being shown: Keep room draperies
and shades open to let in light, and make rooms
appear larger. Tag items not included in sale (i.e.,
water conditioner). Have your home well-lighted
during showing. At night, turn on porch light and
outdoor lighting in back if you have it. Neatness
makes a room look bigger. Avoid clutter. Avoid having
dirty dishes in the sink or on counters. Keep any
toys in the children's rooms. Bikes, wagons, and
skateboards should not be out front, but made as
inconspicuous as possible. Keep stereo or TV turned
way down. Take your family away if your broker is
holding an open house. Don't mention furniture of
furnishings you wish to dispose of unless asked.
Such discussion can kill the sale. Keep pets outdoors
when your house is being shown. Answer questions
candidly when asked, but avoid questioning potential
buyers. Be friendly and encourage people, to make
themselves "at home." Remove and replace
items not included in the sale of your house (i.e.,
Chandelier).
