ESTABLISHING CURB APPEAL

First impressions can make or break a sale. Here are some tips that will put potential buyers into a positive mind-set as soon as they drive up to your home

• Landscaping should enhance not hide. Trim back overgrown bushes and trees. If necessary, shrubs should be lowered to a height near the bottom of the windows.
  
  
• Repair and/or clean the driveway (remove oil and grease stains). Reseal if necessary, to renew the look of the entrance
  
  
• Clean out the flowerbeds and make them look good. Get rid of weeds and make a distinct border between flowerbeds and yard
  
  
• Flowers add color and beauty to your home. Invest in a few flats of flowers, that will last the entire growing season, to dress up the front of your home.
• Look at your property and straighten or repair the fence, if necessary.
  
  
• Paint your home. Paint is cheap and extremely effective. It would be best to paint the entire home. If money is tight, do it yourself and only do the front of the house (including the front door), entrance way, living room, bathrooms and kitchen.
  

WHEN BUYERS ARE COMING

You have just received a call telling you that buyers are coming to tour your home. What should you do? Well, first get dressed and then check out this list of tips

• Make a note of who called and when they are going to show the house
• Let in as much daylight as possible. Turn on lights, open drapes. If it's dark outside, turn on outside lights.
• Open inside doors so that the house will have an inviting feeling as the buyers move throug
• Turn off the TV to avoid distractions and turn on quiet "elevator music"
• Pick up clutter and put dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Take trash out if needed.
• Get pets out of the way. Not everyone loves animals and your buyer may be allergic.
• Bathrooms should be clean, towels folded, toilet seat down.
• If an agent is bringing a buyer to show the home, make every effort to NOT be in the house during the showing. Buyers feel very uncomfortable when the owners are present. They typically will not voice any objections and will hurry through the home. Agents can be much more effective when they can handle objections on the spot or feel free to let the buyers spend time in the home.
• Take the dog with you. Pets can be a nuisance when strangers come to see your home. If you can't isolate your pet, take it with you.