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Curb appeal is very important, a clutter free entrance welcomes
potential buyers. Scrub or paint the front door, wash the
windows, sweep the sidewalk and driveway, and remove any out-of-season
decorations.
Nothing kills a sale faster than bad household odors. Be vigilant
with your pet's area, smoking area and trash.
Get rid of clutter now to maximize space. Have a garage sale,
empty the closets, donate unwanted items to charity. Besides
making your house look great, it will give you less to do
on moving day.
Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, so make yours sparkle.
Fix dripping taps, check & repair damaged or discolored
caulking or grout. Show off your counter space (get rid of
clutter here too).
For maximum effect, turn on every light, even on a sunny day.
Open all window shades. Clean your draperies and curtains.
Make sure your windows are spotlessly clean and replace any
burned out light bulbs.
Potential buyers are looking for storage space as well as
living space. Make sure you base, garage and storage space
are clean and free of unnecessary items.
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when your showing
you home. Keep Spot and Mittens outside, or at least out of
the way. Remember not everyone is a pet person and pet smells
can kill a sale.
Clean the ashes from you wood burning fireplace and lay a
fire, ready to light. Clean glass doors of gas or wood fireplaces
inside and out.
Bake a few drops of vanilla on a piece of tinfoil for 15 minutes
prior to a showing for that "freshly baked cookie smell".
Avoid cooking foods that have strong odors (like fish, broccoli
or cabbage).
Spot paint any problem areas, oil squeaking hinges, tighten
loose screws, ensure closet and cupboard doors open easily.
Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby
traps: icy stairways, festooned extension cords, slippery
throw rugs, and low overhead lights. Make your home as non-perilous
as possible for your unaware visitors.
Remove any extra furniture, make dirty laundry disappear and
put nice spreads on beds.
It's best to be out or out of the way when showings are being
conducted. The agent showing your home knows what the his/her
client is looking for and will emphasize the features of your
home. You will be called if clarification is required.
Avoid having too many people present during a showing. The
potential buyer will feel like an intruder and hurry through
your home. Do not allow children to tag along on a visitor's
tour.
Never apologize for appearance- it only accents or detracts.
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