Preparing Your Home

Preparing the Inside of Your Home
  • Paint rooms that are dirty, worn or faded. A freshly painted home is usually well worth the cost.
  • Have wall-to-wall carpeting and draperies cleaned.
  • Fix any dripping faucets. Often, only a washer is needed.
  • Clean bathrooms until they sparkle! Replace old caulking around the bathtubs.
  • Spray lubricant on any squeaking doors, windows, closets and cabinets.
  • Place a deodorizer in each room and closet.
  • Store out of season clothes so the closets do not look cluttered.
  • Remove items from the floors of walk-in closets so prospects can have easy access. Clean and organize closets (be sure clothes are hung neatly and other articles are neatly arranged).
  • Stack all items in the garage, basement and attic against the walls to show maximum floor space. Vacuum the garage and basement floors and rafters.
  • Put away excess appliances on the kitchen counter to expose maximum counter space.
  • Pre-pack items which may clutter your home and make your rooms appear smaller.
  • Rearrange furniture, if necessary, to make each room appear spacious.
  • Tighten loose banisters and clear staircases of everything.
  • Replace broken or cracked switch plates.
  • Repair sticking doors, windows and loose door knobs. Wash windows, sills, light fixtures, ceiling fans and range hoods. Clean and polish floors. Remove stains from toilets, tubs and sinks.
  • Clean your home top to bottom.

    • Preparing the Outside of Your Home
  • Keep the lawn neat and trim during the marketing period. Keep it watered in the summer and leaves raked in the fall. Also, fertilize and kill weeds to make your grass look lush.
  • Edge the lawn along the sidewalks and driveway for a finished appearance. Remove any grass or weeds between cracks in sidewalks or driveway.
  • Check foundation, steps, walkways, walls, and patios for cracks and crumbling.
  • Trim all shrubbery and remove any low lying or dead tree limbs.
  • Clean, repair or replace gutters, downspouts and window shutters.
  • Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
  • Paint any trim that is blistering.
  • Plant flowers in the front yard.
  • Repaint or restain the front door to create a pleasant first impression.
  • Replace any cracked windows and torn screens from windows and doors, particularly those on the front of the house.
  • Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
  • Inspect and clean the chimney.
  • Make sure any gates swing properly and fences are in good repair. Repaint, if necessary.
  • Be sure that the doorbell works properly and that exterior doors, particularly the front door open, close and lock properly.

    • Preparing Your Home For Showings
  • Open drapes and blinds to let the sun shine in and give every room an open-airy feeling.
  • Turn on all lights to make rooms look larger and more cheerful.
  • Turn on soft, soothing music to give your home a more comfortable feel.
  • Put away all kitchen dishes, towels and aprons. Also, clear small appliances off counters to increase the amount of work space available.
  • Place the "Home Information Book" in a spot where Realtors and buyers will see it.
  • Stay out of the way. Take your children and pets outside to allow the prospective purchaser to keep their attention focused on your home.
  • Let all discussions, particularly those concerning price, terms, and possession, be handled by the Realtor. Never apologize for the condition of your home or suggest discounting the price.
  • A professional sales person does not tell a prospective purchaser everything about a home. They allow the purchaser to discover the home and will not say much when showing your home.