For Sellers

10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing, makes closets seem roomier. Clean garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.

5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they'll give buyers the impression that the house isn't well maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Clean your gutters.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.

5 Ways to Speed Up Your Sale

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property's realistic price range.

2. Get your house market ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It's often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you'll find a seller.

4. Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you'll find acceptable.

5. Don't refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.

Preparing your house for sale means showing it off in its best light to maximize your sale! I will review your house and advise you with the eye of a buyer and a real estate professional. Your home should be staged so as to be attractive to a buyer, which means de-personalizing it so the buyer can imagine his/her belongings in the home. Below is a list of considerations and suggestions to help you put your home in shape for a successful sale.

1. Remove all clutter from the house (counter/table tops, walls, shelves, unnecessary furniture items, refrigerator magnets, etc.)
   
   
2. Hang/put away any clothing items.
   
   
3.  Closets - clear them out of everything except essentials, to show storage space.
   
   
4. Bathrooms - be sure bathroom surfaces and flooring are clean and clear, towels hung neatly, shower curtain or glass doors cleaned, toilet seat down.
   
   
5. Check walls - are they clean and free from holes, is wallpaper in good shape? Remove personal items and photos.
   
   
6. Check floors - are carpets and/or hard surface floors cleaned and stain free?
   
   
7. Windows - are they clean and are the window coverings (draperies, blind, curtains) clean and fresh?
   
   
8. If there are pets, keep litter box clean and fresh and out of the way, pick up pet toys and bedding.
   
   
9. Keep home smelling nice by airing it out prior to showing and if needed, a light use of air freshener.
   
   
10. Open draperies and blinds to let light in, turn on room lights to brighten any dark corners.
    
    
11. I can also advise you regarding how to achieve the best curb appeal for the outside of your home, to attract buyers.

You only have one chance to make a first expression.

Ongoing maintenance until your house sells.

1. Your exterior is your first impression so make sure to keep porches and sidewalks swept, entrances uncluttered, and, if in season, a few colorful plants to make the house welcoming.
   
   
2. Keep yard plantings under control and vibrant, and remove dead plantings. Make sure to weed often.
   
   
3. Walk around the house checking for broken shingles, siding, or areas that might need a touch up.Also check gutters for any damage that might need repair.
   
   
4. Make sure you service your heating system keeping it up to date.
   
   
5. If house is empty, a few lights on timers helps deter unwanted guests. Also, leaving a few items of furniture if possible, helps to stage the house. Buyer's like to see what a room might look like with something in it.