Getting Your Home Ready to Show
What to do Inside:
1. Clean! Clean! Clean!
Have the carpet shampooed, wax the floors, wash the walls,
windows, blinds, drapes and lighting fixtures. Consider
it a justified moving expense.
2. Kitchen and Bathrooms
Clear off counter tops. Leave canisters and little else.
Maximize the available counter space. These rooms should
be gleaming. If unsightly, have the tub re-caulked and remove
mineral deposits and grime from the shower walls. Clean
the stove, microwave and refrigerator.
3. Primary Storage Area
Remember, you can clean and pack now and benefit with a more
attractive home on the market, or you can do it several
months from now, in the process of moving when there is no
advantage. Do it now!
4. Repairs
Identify and repair dripping faucets, sticking or creaking
doors etc. When people see an area of disrepair they begin
to wonder where there are other unseen problems.
5. Closets
Remove out of season clothing. Organize your clothes and
shoes. Remove all clutter from cabinets and
closets.
6. Furniture
The less furniture, the larger a room appears to be.
7. A light appearance
As a rule, do everything to lighten the appearance of the
home. Raise the blinds, open the drapes and use light
colors. Re-paint any room beginning to look shabby.
What to do outside:
1. The House
Take a close look as you walk the property. Clean anything
that looks unkempt or dirty, repair or replace anything that
looks loose, dingy, rusted or broken. Make sure the door
bell works. Replace a tired looking mailbox, clean the
exterior light fixtures and wash the windows. Try to spot
hanging or rusty gutters, crooked antennae, loose shingles or
shutters.
2. The Yard
Weed the flowerbeds, trim the trees and shrubs. Plant gound cover and flowers. Mend the fence, fix the gate latch. Pick up
a little, Consider a landscaping lawn service.
3. Outdoor Furniture
Examine and spot paint your outdoor furniture. If it's rusty
or not repairable, get rid of it.
4. Front Entry
It's the first thing your buyers see as they stand and wait
for the door to open. It's worth the extra effort to spruce
it up.
5. The Garage
The time has come. Dispose of everything in the garage that
hasn't been used for a year. Wash it down.
