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1. |
Check the
overall appearance of the exterior of your house. Make sure porches,
decks, and patios are neat and in good repair. Remove any mildew. A
good hosing or pressure wash might be desirable. Keep gutters free of
debris. |
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2. |
Keep lawn
trimmed & edged. Prune shrubbery & trees to make the house visible and
light. Make sure that your yard is neat and clean of refuse. Rake the
yard in the fall. |
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3. |
Your
front door gives a vital first impression while a potential buyer waits
for you to answer the bell. Be sure it is scrubbed clean or painted if
necessary, especially on the threshold & door kick panel. |
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4. |
Replace
torn or missing window and door screens. |
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5. |
Dress
up the windows in freshly laundered curtains. Keep window treatments
open in the day time to allow natural light to brighten your home. |
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6. |
Check
furnace filters, heat registers & vent covers, and replace or clean as
needed. |
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7. |
If
any decoration is needed, do it now! $100 worth of paint may balance
$500 in a price cut. Kitchens & bathrooms should sparkle. Caulk around
tubs & showers if needed. |
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8. |
Keep
all steps clear of hazards. All hand railings should be secure. |
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9. |
Storage
is important to most prospective homeowners. Clean out clutter in
closets & cabinets to create a spacious appearance. Pack unneeded
clothes & personal items. |
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10. |
Don’t
forget to have all light sockets filled with bulbs. Illumination is
like a welcome sign. |
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11. |
Wash
dishes, put away clothes, straighten up newspapers, etc. Make beds with
attractive spreads. Neatness counts! |
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12. |
Be
readily available to allow showings, especially evenings and weekends.
And, leave during showings. If not, the
potential buyers will feel like an intruder and hurry through the
house. |
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13. |
Consider
fresh flowers, potpourri, scented candles, etc. |
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14. |
Soft
background music creates an inviting atmosphere. |
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15. |
Close
the garage door, store trash cans out of sight, store lawn mowers and
yard hoses neatly. |
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16. |
Keep pets out of the way during showings. (One type of potential buyer is
annoyed…another’s attention is diverted). Also, as a precaution, have a
friend do a sniff test and take action if needed. |
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17. |
Never
apologize for appearance. It only accentuates or distracts. It is
better to allow your home to be shown even when it is not at its best
rather than to miss the opportunity. |
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18. |
Never
try to sell furniture, appliances, or other personal property to a
potential buyer before the deal is completed. |
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19. |
Remove
valuables such as jewelry from view. |
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20. |
You
can provide the buyer with one year’s coverage on selected items like
the central heating & air conditioning system, interior plumbing,
built-in appliances, and much more through a home warranty. |
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21. |
You
might consider ordering an inspection when initially placing your home
on the market. This can be shared with a potential buyer. |
