Tips for Selling Your Home

In preparing your new home for sale it is eminent to envision your home through a “buyer’s eye”. Now is the time to make your home as buyer friendly as possible. These are some suggestions we have to make your home more appealing to the buyer.

Outside

• Mow the lawn and trim the trees and shrubs away from the house. Rake leaves and remove dead plants, flowers and shrubs.

• Put tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys and building materials neatly away.

• Dress up front yard with fresh mulch.

Inside

• Turn on all the lights in the evening to welcome potential buyers. This is not a bad idea in the daytime as well, especially if you are surrounded by trees.

• Clean all light fixtures. Dirty lights get noticed.

• Fill the house with the pleasant aroma of cinnamon or other fresh scents.

• Clean woodwork and carpeting.

• Repaint walls, if necessary, in a neutral color such as antique white.

• Discard worn furniture and remove all extras. Too much makes the room look smaller.

• Open curtains and set out fresh flowers.

• Clean the fireplace and remove any items in front of it.

• The sink, tub, commode, tile and shower curtain should be immaculate.

• Caulk and grout tile. Bleach if discolored.

• Organize all closets.

• Here’s a challenge— ask children and teenagers to clean their rooms, take down all posters and open curtains.

• If the basement is unfinished, keep the floor swept. Using a cement paint keeps dirt down, looks fresh and only takes a few hours to complete. A battleship gray is recommended.

• Change furnace filter and clean appliances.

• Ask yourself. Is there anything inside or out that “will not make the move”? If so, throw it out now. Don’t wait until you sell.

Also, when there is a showing on the home, we recommend that you not be there. Buyers will feel more comfortable to look in closets, cabinets, etc. They also tend to stay at a property longer.

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