Showing Your Home

Living Areas (Review the house room by room as if you are the buyer).

1. Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture to a minimum.
2. Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if the room seems full. When it comes to selling we need to make the rooms appear as large as possible.
3. Paint all rooms needing attention.
4. Clean windows inside and out.
5. Be sure drapes and carpets are clean.
6. Remove dated wallpaper and paint with neutral color.
7. Check all light bulbs and clean fixtures.
8. Repair all leaking/dripping faucets.
9. Re-grout tiles in kitchens and baths, it's relatively inexpensive and gives a fresh new look to counter tops.
10. Check caulking around tubs and showers.
11. Replace or clean shower curtains.
12. Clear all unnecessary items from counter tops. If you haven't used it lately put it away.
13. In bathrooms keep only absolute necessities on counters or commode tops, matching towels are a nice touch as well.
14. Creaking floors can be a turn off to buyers, especially in townhouses, condos, and second story flooring in houses. Pull up carpets if necessary to correct condition.
15. Clean and wax kitchen floors.
16. Refrigerator, stove, sinks, and other appliances should be spotless.
17. Clean exterior of heating/cooling unit and compartment.
18. Tidy up closets, if possible remove seasonal clothing to add spaciousness. Be sure clothes are neatly hung and shoes are in place. Yes, buyers do look in closets!

1. Keep lawns mowed and trimmed. Replace dead plants and trim shrubs. A gardener may be a great investment during the sale process.
2. Check all faucets, check sprinkler system.
3. Repair torn screens and cracked glass.
4. Paint or touch up where needed, especially the entry area. Hose down dirt and spider webs that may be present.
5. Plant colorful flowers, a nice color bowl on the front porch is a nice touch if there is room.
6. Clean driveway and clear any debris around the exterior.
7. Repair bubbling or cracking stucco, and/or paint exterior as needed.
8. Eliminate clutter from view, (toys, garden tools, etc.).
9. Take a walk around the perimeter and discard or remove any unsightly debris.
10. If you have a pool or spa, be sure it sparkles. Keep the patio area neat.

1. Clean and tidy up as much as possible.
2. You want top dollar, so consider a rental storage area if you have too much stuff in the house or the garage.

   A home that shows better = Quickest Sale! Most Money! Fewest Problems!

No home is perfect, but you can be a notch above the competition by completing these recommendations.

1. Some people are afraid of pets so please have your pets attended to.
2. Unpleasant odors can lose a sale. Try carpet cleaning or freshener if needed, Sprinkle cinnamon over oven burners just before showing, bake fresh bread, try a drop of vanilla on light bulb under a lamp shade.
3. Open drapes in the day for larger appearing rooms.
4. A well lit home shows better. So, for entire showing turn on all lights.
5. Leave radio on with soft background music for showings.
6. Light the fireplace, even in summer if possible.
7. Today more than ever, buyers are often times turned off by the odor of smoking. If you smoke you're probably not as sensitive to the odor. Try to smoke outside during the selling process and always air out the house before showings!
8. Buyers feel more comfortable when looking at a home without the owners present. Whenever possible, leave prior to the showing or act as if you are leaving when they arrive. Even if you just step next door or take a short walk.
9. Have a lockbox on your home. Most agents will not try for a second appointment to show it! Easy access to showing with a lockbox will increase showings by more than 30%.
10. Leave thermostat set at a comfortable temperature.
11. Have carpets vacuumed prior to buyers arrival if possible.
12. Make sure the sink is clear of dirty dishes.
13. Make sure rooms are picked up and beds are made.

The process of selling a home is not an easy one. You need to have your home ready for showing, (sometimes on very short notice), but in order to increase your chances for selling please take our recommendations to heart. The better your home shows, (assuming it is priced correctly), the faster it will sell. The faster it sells, the less inconvenience and costs you'll incur.