For a Quicker Sale, Make Sure Your Home is Exciting!

We don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression.  Most buyers look for homes that are well cared for and bright.  In general, clean and neat.

 CHECK LIST FOR FASTER SALES

• Lawn and yard – remove clutter, cut grass, edge walks, trim hedges, weed gardens.
• Front of house – paint, fix or wash railings, steps, storms, screens and/or front door.
• Other exterior – side or back door, gutters wash windows.
• Garage – straighten, paint, fix or wash doors and windows.
• Plumbing – repair dripping faucets, leaky toilets.
• Heating/cooling – clean exterior unit.
• Lights – replace all burned-out bulbs, faulty switches.
• Halls and stairs – remove any clutter to give wide appearance.
• Hardware – oil hinges, tighten door knobs, faucets.
• General condition – dust, wash, paint, fix defects, as required.
• Consider feeling of spaciousness – store unneeded items to “enlarge” room size.

THESE ITEMS ARE VERY CRITICAL

• Kitchen – stove, refrigerator, sink should be spotless, all work space clear.
• Bathrooms – neat, spotless, and fresh. Repair broken putty around tub.
• Closets – untidy or over-crowded closets suggest inadequate storage space.

HOW TO HELP SALES AGENTS

• Children, pets, and adults can keep buyers from feeling at ease while they look through a home.  For showings, please be out of the house if possible.
• Tell your agent which rooms benefit from sunshine or cooling breezes.
• Tell your agent what you like about the house, the yard, the location. 
• Turn on all lights for the showing.  Open drapes and blinds in the day time and close them at night.
• Strong cooking, smoking, or animal odors can ruin a sale.  Make sure your home is fresh for a showing.
• Small signs highlighting the special features of your home will make sure buyers see all the benefits.