GLORIA'S TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME TO LIST Prepared By Gloria Brda My experience has proven that preparing your home so that it looks it's best will help it sell faster and bring more value to you as a seller. These are some important tips to make your home show better and smarter. The end result will put more money in your pocket! First of all, begin by taking a good look at your home from across the street. Have a buyer's set of eyes. Does your home have an appealing appearance? Is the curb appeal welcoming? Exterior Of Your Home Spruce up around your home. Keep the lawn and shrubbery trimmed and free of clutter. The garden and flowerbeds should be weeded and trimmed. The garage door should be down at all times. Place a flowerpot on the front step if you are listed in the spring/summer months. The front door should say, "welcome". A wreath on the door is inviting. Fill potholes in your driveway and tidy up the sidewalks. Clean off your outdoor furniture and organize neatly on patio or deck. Keep the garage tidy. Neatly organize packed boxes. Straighten gutters and fencing that may be sagging. Check your doorbell-this is the first impression! Tighten loose doorknobs and oil squeaky hinges. Scrape and paint all peeling paint. This is especially important for an FHA loan. Repair broken windows and screens. Replace any missing windows or screens. Clean all the cobwebs away from all doors-especially your front door. Check all outdoor lighting to make sure that the bulbs have been replaced . Check your mailbox. Is it standing upright? Has the trimming been done? Keep the trash canisters away from the front of the house. HAVE A GARAGE SALE! Interior Of Your Home Clean your entire home. Clean windows, blinds, and draperies. Shampoo rugs and wash floors. Organize your closets and cabinets. When they are neatly arranged, they will appear larger for ample storage. CREATE MORE SPACE by storing additional furniture that you won't be using over the next few months. It may help to rent a storage area for a short-term basis. Scale down your personal artwork such as posters and large grouping of family portraits. The buyers can only imagine covering all of the nail holes. Keep your shades and draperies open. It's great to let in as much as light as possible. However, be cautious to screen out unappealing views. Let your kitchen shine! Make it look warm and welcoming. This is the "hub" of your home. Tuck away all dishes when you are having a showing. Clean appliances. Completely degrease your oven. Remove the kitchen garbage can for showings. Stage the countertops so that they don't appear cluttered. Remove most of the magnets, etc on the front of the refrigerator. Remove all cereal boxes from the top of the refrigerator. Remove all debris from inside of the light fixtures. (Dust and flies) Keep bathrooms clean and scrubbed. Neatly hung matching towels add a nice touch. Check all faucets so that the washers are tight and do not drip. Keep the interior as neutral as possible. Buyers are also shopping for new construction that's not personalized at all. Plants always give an added splash of color. Pack out of season clothes and straighten up your shoes. Inexpensive shoe racks help to organize shoe clutter. Closets should give a "generous" appearance. Check for cobwebs everywhere. Basements are especially important. Free up the basement steps of anything that would not be safe. Check the handrails for security. If you have a crawlspace, clear out area around the access for easy entry. Objectionable pet odors are a turnoff. Keep liter box clean and away from any main traffic area. Many people are allergic to pets. Avoid cooking with fish and strong odors if you know of a possible showing. A small amount of fragrance or room freshener is a good idea. Be careful not to have too much fragrance in your home. Lit candles for a showing are nice. Soft music sets a warm ambiance. TAKE GLORIA'S ADVICE! The first impression is sometimes the ONLY impression that a buyer may ever have of your home. Identify trouble spots ahead of time. You can't sell your home if you can't see your home. The way you "live" in a home and the way you "sell" a home are two different things. Buyers only know what they see-not the way it's going to be! [ Back to Gloria's Library of Helpful Articles ] Gloria Brda, Realtor Associate® RE/MAX CENTER 100 N. Atkinson Road, Suite 106 Grayslake, Illinois 60030 Toll Free: 800.257.REMAX Office: 847.223.7878 x3021 Fax: 847.223.1703 www.gloriabrda.com Real Estate in Northern Illinois ©1999-2007 Gloria Brda