Tips for selling your home

Tips for selling your home

Things you can do to that may help sell your home quickly and easily

Look at your home from a critical standpoint. If you were a buyer, what is the first impression you get of the home from the street?

Outside

Is the grass green and well trimmed?

	Invest in some quick greening fertilizer to make the grass lush and green and keep it trimmed and edged
	Trim shrubs and bushes
	Add fresh mulch to flower beds and around shrubs and bushes
	Plant flowers for added color and interest

Fix any cracks in the sidewalk or driveway.

Is the front of the house clean and inviting?

	Clean windows, doors, decks and porches
	Paint or stain trim and siding
	Polish brass to get a crisp clean look, or install new door knobs and kick plates
	Don't forget to paint the mailbox too Back to top

Inside

Make sure the entrance area is clean, uncluttered, and inviting. Floors should be spotless and light fixtures sparkling. This is the first impression of the inside of the house, you want it to be a good impression.

The Living Room/Family Room/Great Room area

	Remove all collectables and fragile items
	Store away personal awards, posters, political items or anything that might distract the buyer from looking at the home. You want the buyer to envision his/her personal items there.
	Remove any extra furniture items to give the room an open, unobstructed traffic flow pattern
	Clean the fireplace and light fixtures

Dining Room

	Take the extra leaf out of the table
	Put a white tablecloth on the table, fresh flowers would be a nice touch to add to the center of the table
	Clean light fixtures or the chandelier
	Open curtains to let in lots of light

Kitchen

	Make the kitchen sparkle, clean it from top to bottom
	Clean the stove and oven, make them shine
	Clean the refrigerator, remove any magnets or artwork from front and sides
	Place small appliances under the counter everyday. Show off all that counter space
	Cluttered drawers and cabinets should be cleaned to give the impression of lots of storage space
	Empty and clean the inside of the dishwasher
	Take out the trash daily and remove any pet dishes and litter boxes from the kitchen
	Open curtains to let in lots of natural light
	Put some vanilla in water in the oven and turn on low heat, or bake cookies or bread
	Run a half lemon through the disposal unit to give it a fresh smell Back to top

Hallways

	Remove pictures from walls, patch holes and repaint the walls
	Make sure the disappearing stairway to the attic has a tight seal and operates smoothly
	Make sure the attic light works

Bathrooms

	Clean until it sparkles, remove any stains and shine the fixtures
	Make any needed repairs like leaky faucets or commodes
	Leave the shower curtain open on the freshly cleaned tub or shower
	Remove personal items everyday
	Install a GFI outlet
	Use window treatments and scatter rugs to downplay dated colors

Bedrooms

	Purchase new bedspreads if possible
	Make the beds everyday
	Have children put away toys everyday
	Paint rooms a neutral color if necessary
	Install closet organizers and keep the closets clean and neat
	Clean out extra clothing from the closets to show there is plenty of room
	Open curtains for extra lighting and an open feel
	Clean all ceiling fans and lighting fixtures Back to top

Garage/Basement

	Remove stains from floors
	Organize the space
	Clean windows and remove cobwebs
	Do not store extra stuff in the garage or basement, you may want to rent a storage unit
	Spray with an air freshener to get a fresh smell

Screened Porch or decks

	Repair or replace any screens with holes in them
	Clean furniture and remove any extra pieces that may cause overcrowding
	Clean or sweep the floor
	Nail down any loose nails
	Stain if necessary with a sealer type stain
	Secure any loose rails and steps

Other important tips that could save you money or sell your home sooner

	Put in higher wattage light bulbs for added light
	Oil squeaky doors
	Tighten door knobs
	Open curtains and drapes to let in added light
	Turn on all the lights before a showing
	Try to leave the house if there is a showing scheduled
	Vacuum every day
	Do not smoke in the house
	Move pets outside or to a boarding kennel during selling hours
	If you have pets, use a product called "Simple Solution" to remove pet odors

This information is provided as a service of Owens & Company Real Estate. It is meant for general information purposes only and is not a guarantee of the sale of your home.
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