Giving Your Home the On-the-Market Makeover

You work with me as your Certified Residential Specialist because I am best able to sell your home quickly and profitably. But remember: Your relationship with me is a partnership. While I work to market your property and screen potential buyers, it’s up to you to give your home a simple, inexpensive sprucing up that can go a long way toward a speedy sale.

With that in mind, here are some helpful hints gathered from my associates across the country.

Before the Showings Begin

Hint: First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

The exterior of your home often determines how buyers will view the interior , so:

• Make sure your front entrance is clean and inviting.
• Paint or replace your front door if it’s faded or worn.
• Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside features showing signs of wear.

Hint: Beauty is More than Skin Deep

• Keep windows and floors clean.
• Replace faded wallpaper and glue any areas that have come away from the wall.
• Repair worn woodwork.
• Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color.
• Steam clean carpeting or replace if necessary.
• Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws.
• Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers.

Hint: Accentuate the Positive

Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each room to bring out its best attributes, including:

• Open draperies and curtains to let light in during the showing.
• Remove all unnecessary clutter from your attic, basement and closets to better display spacious rooms( consider storage or a garage sale to dispose of extraneous items).
• Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture.
• Keep fresh towels in the bathroom.
• Use candles or air fresheners to make the room smell pleasant.

Hint: Put Your Home in the Best Light

Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime showings, can create a cozy mood and highlight positive attributes of each room, so:

• Avoid the use of overhead lighting that makes rooms look washed out and lifeless.
• Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger, and larger rooms seem more intimate.
• Use lighting to highlight the “living areas” of your home, such as a pair of chairs near a fire place, or a table in a breakfast area.
• Put the spotlight on the strengths and potential of your home.
• Create the right mood and atmosphere given the room’s function, color scheme, etc.
• Accent the aspects and unique features of each area of your home.
• Define the space.
• Bring the room to life

After the Showings Begin

Hint: Leave the Selling to the Professional

Buyers often feel uncomfortable in the presence of a homeowner, so:

• Try not to be present during inspections.
• If you are home, never apologize for the appearance of your house.
• Only I, as your REALTOR should discuss any objections and subjects like price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyers.

Hint: Keep the Disturbances Down

Potential homebuyers have a lot to take in, so minimize distractions.

• Pipe in classical, jazz or soft rock music, but keep the volume low.
• If possible, turn off the ringer on your phone during showings.
• Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way- preferably out of the house.

Hint: Create a Homey Atmosphere

A buyer tries to picture themselves and their family living in your home, so:

• Create a pleasant aroma by baking cookies or bread, or placing cornmeal in a pie plate in a warm oven on the day of the showing.
• Keep the heat or air conditioner at comfortable levels.
• If you have a fireplace, light it during wintertime showings.

Hint: Have Records Available

Even if a buyer doesn’t study them, having records available can make it clear you are conscientious and have nothing to hide.

• Have copies of your gas, electric and water bill from the last 12 months available.
• Be ready to show all home improvement and repair bills.