Sellers Tips...

12 Great Tips.........

1) Always make sure that the interior and exterior of the home is neat and clean, Dirty clothes are in the hamper, paperwork has been filed, closets are not cluttered, etc. You don’t necessarily need to repaint the entire house, but maybe porch railings, the frame around the front entry door. Is the grass freshly cut, hedges trimmed, etc?

2) Clean the windows. Make sure that the drapes or blinds are neat and clean to promote an air of a well-maintained home.

3) Consider partial redecoration. If you have animal heads, trophies, or a NASCAR collection, etc. displayed, this may turn off prospective buyers who may focus more on your displays than on the home you are trying to sell.

4) As mentioned previously, make sure your closets, pantries, and attics aren’t cluttered. Buyers are often interested in lots of storage room. They may want to examine the roominess of your attic, closets and pantries, if they appear to be filled to capacity, this might give the prospective buyer the impression that you have run out of room for your belongings due to lack of storage space (and they may not have room for their “stuff” either). If necessary, rent a room at a local storage facility to store those old clothes, yard equipment that you seldom use, old sports equipment, etc. It may be time to have a yard sale.

5) Make sure your kitchen and bathroom shine.

Faucets need to be polished; water stains need to be non-existent, grout needs to be clean with no mildew showing. Toilets clean and flushed...I know, that’s a "no brainer" and oh yeah...put the seats down. Realtors know that most buyers are going to take a long hard look at the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure they like what they see.

6) Turn the lights on. Rumor has it that bright rooms appear larger...go figure!

7) Guys...the basement needs to be clean and clutter free. While it is typically the ladies that will give your kitchen and bathroom the white glove treatment. I’ve heard that the men pay special attention to the landscaping, the basement and the garage.

8) Kids...Pets out of sight. Make sure your children and/or pets will not distract a buyer from being able to view the home in a peaceful setting.

9) Play soothing music. Have you ever been to a fancy restaurant...soft music in the background, lights romantically dimmed, and the $25 chicken cordon bleu staring you in the face. Well, yesterday the chicken cordon bleu was sharing a home with the $3 chicken McNuggets at McDonalds...It’s all about the atmosphere.

10) Scented candles are also a great way to add a bit of elegance to the home and they pay double duty by covering up any musty or stale odor that may be lingering in the home as well.

11) If you have a night appointment turn on the lights outside...definitely around the entry way, but also strategically placed floodlights and spotlights add a bit of class as well.                

12) Most importantly, leave the selling of your home to a professional. That is, let your Real Estate Agent do the selling, they are more familiar with the prospective buyers “hot” buttons and interests. The longer a buyer stays in your home the more likely they will buy it. And they will stay longer if you are not there.