Preparing the Home for Sale

No matter how nice your property, there are always little things that need to be done to prepare your home for sale. The following are a few suggestions to get the interior and exterior appearance ready to show:

THE EXTERIOR:

• LAWN - The yard should be neatly mowed, raked & edged.
• TREES & SHRUBS - Should be pruned & shaped to complement the property.
• FLOWERS - Consider adding seasonal flowers.
• SIDEWALK & DRIVEWAY - Should be swept & washed to remove debris, dirt & stains. Cracks should be repaired & patched.
• PAINTING - Check for any needed maintenance. Repaint or touch up as necessary. You can’t find a better investment!
• DOORS & WINDOWS - All doors & windows should be in good working order. Clean, paint, & wash all windows & casings. Replace any broken or cracked panes. Screens should be free of tears or holes. Inspect all locks to ensure that they are functioning properly.
• ROOF & GUTTERS - Check for loose or missing shingles. Clean out gutters & downspouts. Touch up peeling areas on gutters.

THE INTERIOR

• ATMOSPHERE - Placing yourself in the buyer’s shoes, consider the overall atmosphere of your home. Keep color, lighting & smell in mind as you go through the home. Create an atmosphere within your home that is safe, warm & in good condition.
• SMELL - A clean smelling house creates a positive image. Be aware of any odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc., that may have adverse affects on buyers.
• COLOR - Be cautious selecting colors when painting or replacing carpeting. Stay with neutral colors & let the new owner choose their own color scheme.
• LIGHTING - Take advantage of natural light by cleaning windows, opening shades & drapes, etc. Add lamps & lighting if necessary. Be sure that fixtures are clean & have functioning bulbs. Increase the wattage of the bulbs in the basement area.
• WALLS - Check for peeling paint, loose wallpaper. Consider replacing unusual or bold colors with neutral tones.
• FLOORS - Clean all wall-to-wall carpeting & area rugs. Clean & polish linoleum, tile & wooden floors. Consider refinishing wood floors if necessary.
• CLOSETS - Organize closets to demonstrate the most efficient use of space. Leave as few items on the floor or shelves as possible.
• FURNITURE - Arrange furniture to give the rooms a spacious feeling. Consider removing furniture from rooms that are crowded. Avoid clutter. Pack up knickknacks – both to protect them & to give the room a more spacious feel. Dispose of unneeded items. Store large furniture if necessary.
• WOODWORK - Clean & polish all woodwork if needed. Pay attention to kitchen & bath cabinets.
• BATHROOMS - Cleanliness is the key! Make sure all surfaces are spotless. Replace worn or dirty shower curtains, clean & repair caulking, store personal care products out of sight. Repair any faucets that leak or do not function properly. Clean off mineral deposits with vinegar or commercial products. Clean & organize cabinets & drawers, wash throw rugs & consider using your best soaps & towels.
• FIREPLACE - Sweep & clean the fireplace. Place a few logs on the grate to create an attractive appearance. Have a fire going during showings in winter.
• APPLIANCES & LIGHTS - Clean, bright, sparkling & shiny!
• DINING ROOM - Consider fresh or silk flowers. Set the table with an attractive arrangement.
• KITCHEN - Avoid clutter – store small appliances whenever possible to maximize the appearance of work space. Clean & organize all storage space. Sinks, cabinets, appliances, counter tops should be clean & fresh.
• BASEMENT/ATTIC - The basement & attic should be clean & organized. Be sure that the stairs are cleared, well-lit & that the handrail is secure. Remove & dispose of any items that will not be moved with you. Pack other items neatly in boxes.
• GARAGE - Sweep & wash the floor to remove dirt & stains. Organize tools, garden equipment, bicycles, etc.

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN SALE: Remove (& replace, if applicable) any items that will not be included in the sale of the property such as light fixtures & bath room mirrors.

Suggested Showing Instructions

• With reasonable notice, make your home accessible for salesperson and prospect showings.
• Request and note the name, agency and phone number of every sales person calling to make an appointment.
• Once an appointment is arranged, please tell the calling associate if you will be home or not during the showing. Always ask that the showing agent leave a business card.
• Prior to the appointment, open draperies, blinds, etc. Turn on all the interior lights (exterior if after dusk) and tidy up bedrooms, baths and kitchen.
• Vacating the home is the ideal situation for the presentation of your property. Whenever possible, do not stay in your house with the prospects during showings or, have as few people as possible in the house during showings, since the potential buyers will feel like an intruder and want to hurry through your house to get away from the crowd.
• If you are home during showings, please stay in the background when the buyers are in your home. The salesperson knows the buyer’s needs and desires, and can better emphasize the features of your home when you are not present. If there are any questions that you can answer, the salesperson will find you.

Marketing Strategy

You should partner with your real estate broker on the details of marketing your property. All brokers have different sources they use to make sure your listing is in the public eye. Ask your broker for their marketing plan for introducing your home onto the market and throughout the sales process; the days of simply putting the listing on the multiple listing service and placing a sign in the yard are gone. It takes a lot of work to market a property for sale and you need to make sure your broker has a plan. Ask questions.