Don't Just Show It...Show It Off!

Today's buyers are very knowledgeable and informed. They will review and inspect approx. 30-40 houses before they make their final decision. They will be comparing your home to both model homes they have visited, plus other resale homes, down the street or around the corner.

They will select the home which offers them the best value at the price they want to pay. You will be competing with the best in your category. How does your house stand up?

Here's a few suggestions to get you started.

Outside:

Trim all shrubs. Pull all weeds. Flowers planted. Leaves raked. Water lawn to keep green, discard or store all implements, materials and debris that are not part of the lawn decor.

All windows washed, walks should be swept, neat and tidy. During the winter, all walks and drives should be shoveled and cleared.

Inside:

Lighting:

Open all shades and draperies during the daylight hours. Replace all burned out light bulbs with maximum light producing blulbs. Turn on all the lights throughout the house and basement prior to any showings.

Storage:

All clothing, shoes, hats, accessories, tools, papers, magazines, books and personal items which are not part of the decor of the room should be stored in closets or dressers. All closets should be tidy, neat and clean, especially the master bedroom and linen closets.

Basement storage areas should be neatly arranged. Kitchen counters should be spotlessly clean and sparsely covered. All magazines, books, ashtrays, food, boxes, cans, toys, hobby accessories, tools, dishes, cookware, etc. should be stored in the proper closets or storage areas.

Closets:

The interiors of all closets should present an organized, tidy and uncluttered appearance. All unused items should be discarded or packed for your future move. Your storage and utility space should be tidy. Discard any unnecessary items from the attic, stairways, basement, closets and garage.

Basement:

Should be neat, clean, dry and tidy. All materials and tools should be stored on shelves or discard as much unneeded material as possible prior to showing the house to prospective purchasers.

Windows:

All windows should be spotlessly clean inside and out. All windows sills, as well as any space between the window and storm windows should be spotlessly clean and free of any flaking or loose paint. All windows should be in good repair without cracks. Screen should be clean and in good condition, free of rust and holes. Any paint should be removed carefully with a razor blade.

Fixtures:

All bathroom and kitchen fixtures and counters should be sparkling clean. Polish chrome fixtures and handles in the tub and sinks. The bathrooms & kitchen are the two key areas that female buyers look at closely.

Floors:

All flooring should be clean and waxed if necessary. All carpeting should be very clean regardless of it's age. If the carpeting has not be steam cleaned for more than two years, now is the time to do it. Basement floors should be swept and mopped.

Doors:

All doors should be free of scotch tape, posters, decals, or stickers. All door handles should be in good repair.

Ceramic Tile:

All joints between tiles should be clean and white. Use a bathroom tile sealer to reseal between the bathtub and wall and floor, if necessary.

Walls:

All walls should be clean and free of gouges, scratches, smudges, scotch tape, posters, thumbtacks etc. and should only have decorative items on them. Posters and paper pictures taped to walls should be removed and all tape markings should be removed.

Odour:

Nothing smells better than fresh air. On warm days, have your windows open and shades up. Make the house feel and smell bright, fresh, and clean and you will have a faster sale.

KEY POINT!

Make absolutely sure there are no pet odours of any kind in the house.

Go to your front sidewalk, with a pen and paper in hand, inspect the outside, then the inside of the home and write down all the things you would want fixed if YOU were buying this home! Now fix them!