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Preparing Your Home For Showing
Is Your Home Ready? Don't Show It Till You
Know It!
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Dress Your House for Success
Selling Your House for the Best Price in the Least Amount of Time
Now that you've made the decision to sell your home, you'll want
to look at it differently. It's now a house for sale and looking
at it through "buyers' eyes" can help you package it to sell more
quickly.
The videotape from your real estate professional can give you
ideas and help you with the process. This checklist can help you
organize what needs to be done.
Dressing your house for success doesn't need to be expensive or
overly time consuming. You can borrow or rent the "extras" like
decorative house plants or lawn furniture to make your house
really memorable. And, if you don't have enough time to do
cleaning or repair work, consider hiring a professional. It could
save you time and money later.
As you use the checklist, consult with your real estate
professional to establish your plan. They know best what is
important to buyers in your market and you'll want to concentrate
on those things that really make the difference toward a
successful sale.
Where Do I Start
When you begin preparing your house for market, start outside and
work your way in, keeping in mind the importance of first
impressions.
It is estimated that more than half of all houses are sold before
the buyers even get out of their cars! Stand across the street
from your house and review its curb appeal. What can you do to
improve that very first impression?
When you're ready to begin work. use the checklist and add your
own "To Do" list in the blank space provided. The checklist
follows six important steps to packaging your house. Even if you
can't get to every
detail, the checklist will help you keep in mind the basic steps.
Remember, you need to think like a buyer now and have a critical
eye!
Six Key Steps
Un-cluttering makes every room look larger and feel neater.
If a house is cluttered, buyers have trouble imagining themselves
in it. By removing or storing things you don't need. you create a
roomy, comfortable feeling that will be inviting to prospective
buyers. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out. sell it or give it
away!
Cleaning makes your house easy for buyers to explore and
gives the impression that it has been well cared for. Be sure
every room smells as good as it looks, paying special attention to
pet areas, nurseries and bathrooms. Some fresh paint and a
one-time professional cleaning service can make your house look
like new!
Repairing eliminates buyers' objections before they arise.
If you think something is too much trouble to fix, chances are
buyers will, too. Buyers tend to think repairs will cost more than
they do.
Neutralizing helps buyers see their own things in your
house and picture themselves living there. Neutral paint, decor
and carpeting create a home for any lifestyle. Eliminating
distracting colors and accessories lets buyers concentrate on
positive impressions.
Dynamizing™ makes the exterior and every room of your house
special. Since it is competing with many other houses on the
market, you need to make it stand out and be memorable. Look in
magazines and catalogs for ideas. From the front door to the
basement, from fresh flowers to fresh smells, this is the
finishing touch!
SHOWTIME! is the final step before each time your house is
shown. Identify jobs and assign them to make this step Quick and
easy. If you keep up daily, SHOWTIME! will be easier for you and
your family. Plan a fun
activity -away from the house -during showings.
Exterior/Curb Appeal
Un-cluttering
Lawn/garden - mow, trim, weed, water, pick up.
Pet areas - clean up, re-sod spots as needed.
Extra vehicles -remove from curb view
Cleaning
Windows -wash inside and out.
Walks and driveway -sweep and remove stains.
Siding/brick or stucco -hose down.
Repairing
Doors and windows -repair screens, glass and door hardware.
Siding -repair or paint as needed.
Fences -repair or paint as needed.
Sidewalks and driveway -repair as needed
Neutralizing
Lawn areas -remove any distracting decorations
Dynamizing
Add a large plant, wreath or doormat at entrance
Add potted or hanging flowers to deck or porch
Borrow lawn furniture
Add new house numbers or a brass door fixture
Add fresh layer of rock or bark if needed
Kitchen
Un-cluttering
Counters -clear extra appliances, accessories, etc.
Cupboards -remove and pack extra dishes, food
Memo areas -straighten and remove papers
Cleaning
Cupboards -wipe inside and polish cabinets
Vents, exhaust hoods -clean and deodorize
Appliances -clean thoroughly inside and out
Sinks -polish and clean, remove stains
Floors and walls -scrub and wax floors
Garbage, produce areas -clean and deodorize
Repairing
Faucets -repair leaks
Appliances -check bulbs, replace parts
Wall and ceiling cracks -patch and paint
Neutralizing
Walls -use neutral paint and wallpaper
Dynamizing
Clean or replace reflector plates
Add a new throw rug
Add green or flowering plants
Bathrooms
Un-cluttering
Counters -clean, pack and store
Vanities, medicine cabinets and linen closets organize, pack and
store
Cleaning
Vanities-clean inside, scrub and polish outside
Sinks, tub and shower -remove stains and mold
Mirrors and chrome -polish to a sparkle
Floors and walls -scrub clean and deodorize
Repairing
Toilets and plumbing -make needed repairs
Grout and caulking -patch as needed
Wall and ceiling cracks -patch and paint as needed
Neutralizing
Walls-use neutral paint and wallpaper
Shower curtain and towels -use basic colors
Dynamizing
Add scented soaps or a candle
Purchase or borrow "show" towels and accessories
Entryway/Living and Dining Room/Family Room
Un-cluttering
Coffee and end tables -remove papers, etc.
Furniture -rearrange for openness, remove and store as needed
Plants -remove extra or unhealthy plants
Bookshelves/office areas -straighten, pack, store
Cleaning
Carpet -spot clean, consider professional service
Furniture and woodwork -polish
Lighting fixtures -clean and polish to a sparkle
Hardwood floors -wash and shine
Repairing
Wall and ceiling cracks -repair and paint
Neutralizing
Walls -use neutral paint and wallpaper
Dynamizing
Use logs and fireplace accessories
Put linens on table and server
Use flowers and potpourri
Drape an afghan over a chair or couch
Rearrange pictures to highlight special areas
Bedrooms
Un-cluttering
Children's play areas -straighten, store extra toys
Closets -straighten, box and store
Furniture -remove extra items and rearrange to enhance space
Cleaning
Carpet -clean and deodorize in nursery
Drapes and curtains -wash or dry clean
Lighting fixtures -wash and clean bulbs
Repairing
Wall and ceiling cracks -repair as needed
Neutralizing
Walls-use neutral paint and wallpaper
Bedspreads -use basic colors and patterns
General decor -remove distracting posters, etc.
Dynamizing
Arrange toys to look fun and inviting
Open a book on a night stand
Add a flowering plant
Add curtains or valances to rooms without them
Arrange decorative pillows or shams on bed
Basement/Garage
Un-cluttering
Tool, shop and laundry areas -straighten, box and store
Rec room -straighten play areas, store extra toys
Garage -store lawn/garden tools and equipment
Cleaning
Floors -sweep, clean grease spots
Walls and ceilings -remove cobwebs
Windows -clean
Pet areas -clean thoroughly and deodorize
Repairing
Appliances -be sure furnace, water heater, etc. are in working
order
Pipes, laundry connections -check and make repairs as needed
Neutralizing
Walls and floors -consider spray painting and throw rugs
Dynamizing
Arrange laundry supplies to suggest ease of work
Arrange games in play areas
Display a project in work or hobby areas
SHOWTIME!
The final check of the details that can make your house memorable.
Inside
Open shades and drapes
Open windows to freshen rooms
Arrange fresh flowers throughout
Turn on lights
Prepare a fire for open houses
Set out a game, a book, a hobby project
Set tables with flowers and linens
Set out "show" towels
Make sure rugs are clean and straight
Empty wastebaskets
Pick up dirty clothes
Deodorize pet areas
Play soft music and turn off television
Set a comfortable temperature
Do a "once-over" cleaning -vacuum, sweep and dust
Final check every room
Outside
Pick up lawn tools and toys
Pick up after pets
Remove obstructions from curb view
Clear driveways and walk areas
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