TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOUSE FOR SHOWING

To make a successful sale you must prepare your property for the market. Creating a positive first impression can make the difference between finding the right buyer and showing your home to many browsers. When preparing your home for sale, you should clean, organize, clean, discard and clean When preparing your home for sale, you must clean, organize, clean, discard, and clean.

There are a wide variety of things you can do to improve your home’s appeal. Before showing your property you should look at your home through buyer’s eyes. Often when homeowners see their own home they fail to notice inherent flaws or imperfections. By looking as objectively as possible at your property, you can decide what improvements need to be made to attain the maximum impact. Sometimes the smallest improvements can make a significant difference in a potential buyer’s perception of your home. Just as a director carefully stages a play to make a desired impression, so must your home be properly staged for sale.

Following these tips will help your house look its best for buyer’s showings and open houses. Keep in mind, a potential buyer’s first impression is usually the most important and lasting one.

Basement, Attic, Garage

• Clean out the clutter , discard unused items
• Keep stairways and entryways well lit
• Keep basement bright with new paint or lighting
• Ventilate or dehumidify
• Repair cracked floors and walls
• Stack items against the walls
• GARAGE Organize it like a hardware store.
• Remove oil spots from concrete floor.
• Lubricate garage door and confirm opener is functional.
• Paint garage door and service door.
• Remove your car from the garage during show

Kitchen

• To brighten, paint cabinets and put up new curtains.
• Remove any appliances from your counters.
• Leave a delicious smell in the kitchen.
• Clean appliances, cabinets and countertops.
• Clean cabinets and discard unused items especially under the sink.

 Bathroom

• Repair any dripping faucets
• Keep fresh towels in the bathroom
• Remove stains from toilets, bathtubs and sinks
• Keep sinks and mirrors shining
• Unclog sinks and bathtubs
• Replace old caulking around the bathtubs
• Clean everything. Appliances should be spotless.
• Old caulk should be removed and replaced. Tile and grout should be examined and replaced or repaired as necessary.
• install deodorizers in each bathroom.

 Living Areas

• Have all plaster in top shape, Repair holes and paint marred walls.
• Check ceilings for leak stains
• Use white and neutrals if painting and redecorating
• Wash windows and replace any cracked or broken glass
• All windows should open and close
• Keep draperies open, window shades up
• Replace burned out light bulbs
• Be sure every light switch works, Clean or replace switch and outlet covers.
• Discard items now that will be disposed of when moving
• Straighten up the closets
• Keep pets away during showings
• Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors
• Turn off all televisions
• Have carpets shampooed.
• Replace worn carpets.
• Paint or stain doors  
• Store out of season clothes.
• Clean and condition fireplace tiles and moveable parts, clean fireplace.
• Clean air vents and returns – replace or paint if needed.
• Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
• Remove clutter to make rooms and closets more spacious.
• Replace the furnace filter.
• Confirm that the water softener and water heater is clean and functional.

 Outdoors

• Invest in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight.
• Paint your house if necessary.
• Repaint front shutters, window frames, and front door.
• In winter, walkways should be free of snow and ice.
• Inspect roof and gutters for needed repairs.
• Place flowers outside of the front door.
• Cut back over grown hedges and trees.
• Keep the lawn mowed and properly fertilized.
• Clean and paint front door and screen.
• Install a new “Welcome” mat.
• Replace entry light and other exterior lights with high wattage bulbs.
• Make sure rain gutters are clean, secured and proper extensions are in place.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MR. SIEBERT TO DISCUSS THIS OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONTACT MR. SIEBERT’S OFFICE.