"Tips on Preparing

Your Home For Resale"

Buyers are looking for a home they can see themselves living in. People will ask themselves the following 3 questions when viewing a potential home

Can I imagine myself (my family) living here?
Is this an easy, carefree house to live in?
Is this a good value for my money?

The most important tip to keep in mind at all times is that first impressions are critical in every area. The first feeling a potential buyer sees is curb appeal. That first glance they get as they step in the house, can sell the house. First impression will happen in each and every room; make those impressions awesome! First impressions of a home go a long way to determining how quickly it will sell. Here are some important tips to consider when showing your home to prospective buyers:

Inside

CLEANLINESS: A personal inspection of every room is a must. Cooperation from all family members is important during the entire time that your home is for sale. Even though your Realtor tries to give you adequate advance notice, it isn't always possible. Consequently, only last-minute cleanup may be possible. The two areas needing closest attention are the kitchen and bathrooms. Here are a few suggestions:

• Clear and clean all countertops and tabletops.
• Quick dust all flat surfaces, wood, tile, and vinyl floors. Make sure to get into the corners.
• Vacuum all carpets.
• Put away all toys, clothes, newspapers, mail, etc.
• Make all beds.
• Open up curtains and shades, turn on lights in dark areas.
• Clean all glass and mirrors.
• If your home is in a multi-family building, be sure the approach and hall to your home is clean even if it is not your job!

The house needs to be absolutely sparkling clean. Other areas that need attention include washing windows inside and out, shining the kitchen sink, dusting baseboards, bleaching grout around tiles. It also needs to smell clean and fresh. The house cannot smell of animals or cooking. Do not have daily housekeeping supplies visible to potential buyers. This includes laundry baskets and dish drainers - nothing to remind people that there will be work to do in this house. You want to meet their psychological need of living in an easy, carefree house. These simple but effective decorating techniques can help you market and sell you home for what it is worth.

YOUR CLOSETS - Clean them. Have doors slightly ajar and turn on lights to draw attention to them. Be sure your home is tidy and uncluttered. This includes closets, cabinets, garages, and other storage areas. When "stuffed," no amount of storage "shows" as adequate. When really messy, no room looks charming. All closets of any kind - (foyer closets, master bedroom closets, linen closet, pantry etc) must only be half full. And that does really mean only ½ full.

Also consider taking out the extra living room chair or extra dresser in the bedroom. Pack up items you can do without for the next couple months. You want to show that the house has lots of space and room to grow. This meets the needs of good value for the money.

CLUTTER: Get rid of the clutter! Organize the cabinets! Remove all small appliances and gadgets from countertops. Buyers need to envision the home as they would live in it. Anything interfering with that vision works against you in selling your home to them. So divide all your possessions into three groups:

a) things you really need to live in the house,
b) things you don’t really need but want to take with you to your next home, and
c) things you don’t want to take with you and should really toss. Now, put those things your want to take with you to your next home or in a rental storage facility. Hold a garage sale and/or donate everything else to charity. That will leave your home looking elegantly simple - the best way to present it to potential buyers.

Spruce up kitchen cabinets by installing new knobs or hardware.

LIGHTING: Your home should have a bright and cheery appearance. Lighting plays an important role in displaying your home to its best advantage. Whether it is a sunny day, or after dark, turn on many lights throughout the house. Dark homes show badly. Make sure lamps are on and lampshades are straight with the seams toward a wall. Replace burnt out light bulbs. Make sure there is as much natural light as possible; have curtains, shades and blinds open. Consider replacing outdated light fixtures. Light fireplace if property is being shown in cooler weather; or turn on air conditioner if shown in warmer weather.

ODORS: APPEAL TO THE SENSES CREATE NICE AROMAS -- Make your house smell nice, open windows, set out flowers, burn candles or bake! Deodorize! Nothing turns off a potential buyer than a funny or unpleasant smell. You’ve heard of the bake bread or cookies in the oven trick or maybe just use plug in deodorizers with a light fresh scent. While your home is for sale, it may be necessary to temporarily avoid cooking certain foods. Strong smelling foods may be offensive to a prospective buyer. Check the entire house for any musty or distasteful odors. Pay attention to scents. Does your home smell fresh? DON’T overdo it!

NOISE: Many homeowners feel that soft background music enhances the sale. Any noises may tend to distract the potential buyers from concentrating on the features of your home. This would be an individual decision, if you decide to add music, I would recommend soft background music to create a relaxed mood. Never have a TV on or loud music playing when the house is being shown.

PETS: PETS ARE NICE, BUT ... Not everyone loves them. Pets should be out of the house, if not off the property. Some people do not like dogs, and others do not like cats or object to them because they are allergic. Not to be offensive, I know pets can enrich your life, but they don’t enrich the sales price of your home. Take the right steps and they won’t rob you of any of your equity.

MISCELLANEOUS: Fix up those little things. Oil or WD-40 those squeaky door and window hinges. Tighten any loose door handles. Replace broken shutters, fix leaky faucets, toilets, etc. and make any repairs that are noticeably needed. Door handles and locks should fit well and firmly. Exterior doors should shut and lock solidly. Check plumbing in basement, under the sink for water damage, clean furnace and humidifier, repair cracks on walls, touch up chipped paint, check for septic tank location and when last serviced. Drains and downspouts should be firmly attached and clear of debris so water flows freely. Attached light fixtures should be firmly attached. All switches should turn on whatever they were designed to turn on -- light, fan, disposal, etc.

Paint, paint, paint: Virtually every home has some areas that could use a fresh coat of paint. One of the most important (i.e., best and inexpensive) investments you can make is maximizing your sale price. Make sure you patch cracks and peeling paint first, though. Conventional wisdom dictates your home should be "neutralized." You can’t really go wrong following this advice. You know the drill -- beige or soft gray carpet, beige, gray, neutral ivory or taupe walls, white or off-white woodwork and ceilings. Sometimes a very soft gold or a soft sage green can also "read" as neutral.

Other considerations:
If your linoleum floor is badly worn, replace it with neutral no-wax flooring or tile.

Outside

Clean off front porch or entryway. Check doorbell is in working order.
Close your garage door. Clear the driveway of snow or leaves. Pick up litter
Repair soffits and eavestroughing
Step out to the curb and take a look at your home. Does anything look out of place? Pick up and put away any toys, tools, bikes, garbage cans, etc. Be sure the approach to your home is clean, tidy and well groomed.
Any brass should be polished, paint on the door should be in good condition and the door should be washed clean of fingerprints and paw marks.
If your home is a single family house, be sure the grass is cut, leaves raked, plant beds mulched and weeded, etc.

Ask yourself a few questions:
Does your yard look well maintained?
Are the trees and bushes trimmed?
Is your lawn mowed and edged?
Is your lawn free of weeds and trash?
Are the decks and patios clean?
Does your house need painting?
Remember you only get one opportunity to make that first impression. Make sure your home is ready to be on today's competitive market!

AND FINALLY……
YOUR PRESENCE - Most buyers won't relax and closely inspect a home if the owners are present during the viewing. Many homeowners feel that they should personally conduct a tour of their home for both the Realtor and his or her clients. Do not do this! This will make the potential buyer feel uncomfortable and anxious to escape as soon as they can. Although Realtors don't know all the features of your home as well as you do, they do know the personality and needs of their clients. Excuse yourself and if the potential buyer has questions, the Realtor will get in touch with you after the viewing to seek out the answers. Let the Realtors do the selling.
You do not want anything personal on display. This includes removing all family photographs, all toiletries, mail/bill piles, and all special collectibles. All bathroom and kitchen counters need to be cleared expect for only one or two decorative objects. Generally speaking, remove all wallpaper and paint all rooms a neutral ivory color. This meets the need of being able to imagine living there (and not being distracted by who lives there now).