Showing Your Home

Do It Right the First Time!
The first three weeks are the most critical time when marketing your home. This is why it is important to have the home priced properly and ready to show. You will have more activity in this period, because buyers who are in the market have seen existing houses and are anxious to see anything new on the market. If your home shows poorly or is overpriced, you may not get another chance to make a good impression. Remember the competition is fierce. You are competing with every other house in your price range that is currently for sale, new and pre-owned

• Air out the house. You may be the last person to notice any peculiar odors in your home. However, visitors may, so search out offending odors coming from a kitty litter box, dog bed, mildew in the shower, or maybe cigarette smoke.
• Minor repairs can make a big difference. Loose door and cabinet knobs, sticking and squeaking doors and windows, drippy faucets, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from the homes value. Have them fixed. Many buyers believe there will be ten problems they haven't noticed for every one they do see.
• Wash all the windows. Clean the windowsills and bottom of wood jambs. Wipe down the blinds. Replace any broken or cracked windows or mirrors.
• Front Entry. Pay special attention to how your front entrance looks. Does your door need to be painted? Does the doorbell work? First impressions make a big difference.
• Now is the time to Clean the Carpets! If it has been over a year since the carpets have been cleaned, do it now. Vinyl floors should be waxed or polished. Hardwood floors should be reconditioned if they need it. If your carpeting looks at all shabby or faded, invest in new light colored carpeting and padding that is professionally installed.
• Clean up the dog or cat hair. If you have a pet that sheds, clean up the hair, and remove dirty blankets that may be laying around for your pet to sleep on.
• Light and bright is right. Replace burned out lights, put bulbs in every socket, keep shades and drapes open during the day. Buyers like bright and cheery.
• Make your bed! Listen to mom this time; now is really the time to be sure all beds are made and clothes are picked up.
• Clean out those closets. Pack up everything you haven't used in the last year. You are going to have to do it anyway and storage areas look larger when they aren't cluttered.
• Store extra furniture. Too much furniture or furniture that is too large for the room makes a house appear smaller.
• Really look at your kitchen as if you are a new buyer. Keep the oven clean, put new drip pans under the burners (don't cover with foil).
• Clean around the seal of the dishwasher door. Check for offensive odors. If your counter space is limited, put unnecessary items away.
• Freshen up the bathrooms by putting out new towels and mats. Replace your shower curtain if needed and clean and polish ceramic tile.
• Clean out the fireplace and dispose of ashes. Put in fresh logs.
  If you have a pool, keep it well chlorinated and absolutely spotless inside and out.
• Keep children's toys out of the way. Be sure the yard and front entrance is free of toys and litter. Impress upon the family the importance of keeping the house neat and clean.
• Get rid of the clutter! Remove all clutter (including some furniture) from the inside of your home, garage and back yard. Store it off your property or have a garage sale.
  Your home will look more spacious. If your garage is very small, and you are storing some of your clutter in the garage, park your car outside on the street when the house is being shown.