Let Your home smile a welcome to Buyers –
Tips on preparing your home for the market. 

First impressions are lasting.  The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it is clean and freshly painted. Consider a brass kick-plate and a brass house number. It’s often the little things that your prospects notice.  

For better “Curb Appeal” trim hedges and shrubs,  especially close to your home’s foundation. Make sure the yard is free of bikes, old toys and other debris.  If your yard needs it, sow some grass.  You don’t want to have mud tracked through your home on a rainy day showing. 

Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls, smudged wallpaper and worn woodwork reduce the appeal of your home. A quick coat of neutral colored paint, the same color throughout, will let the prospect see what his or her own furnishings and décor will look like. 

Let the Sun shine in.  Open drapes and curtains to let the light in.  Dark,  dreary rooms do not sell your home.  Place higher wattage bulbs throughout your house. 

Fix the faucet!  Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing. 

Small repairs can make a difference – ask a non-family member to walk through your house and point out loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, peeling wallpaper, and of course any odors like pet or smoker’s aromas. If you live there, it’s harder for you to spot minor flaws that can detract from your home’s value. 

Make closets look bigger.  Neat, uncrowded, well-ordered closets enhance the look of your storage space. 

DO NOT spend a lot of money on remodeling your home unless it REALLY needs work. It can be difficult to recoup your expenses.  This is not the time to move walls, add a room or a bath, or even replace all your carpet unless it is seriously worn or out dated. 

DO repair leaky roofs,  heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical problems, and built-in appliances before putting your home on the market.  Your prospects  may hire a home inspector and you want your home to pass with flying colors.   

Spend extra time and care on your bathrooms and kitchens. Make these rooms sparkle. Check on caulking in bathtubs and showers, clear off all unnecessary items from your countertops.  

Remove unsightly “stuff” from your garage or carport.  A clean spacious garage helps to sell your home.