For Sellers

Top Tips to Get Your Home Show Ready

Road Map to Selling Your Home

 

How to Help Sell Your Home:

 

  • Clean up the grounds-porches-garage.  Keep lawn trimmed and edged. Make sure your yard is clean of refuse.  Spruce up flower beds and trim trees.
  • Clean and paint exterior surfaces, particularly the front door.  Your front door gives a vital first impression while a Realtor and prospective buyer wait for you to answer the bell.
  • It may be necessary to put some belongings-especially extra furniture, personal photographs and knickknacks in storage to give your home a more spacious look.
  • Clean baseboards, ceiling fans, light fixtures, registers and air returns.  These items are often overlooked by us but not by a buyer.  Make sure grout in bathrooms is clean and repair as needed.  Clean windows, wash dishes, put away clothes, straighten up or store away magazines and newspapers.
  • If any decoration is needed, especially in the kitchen, do it now!  $20 worth of paint may balance a $100 price cut.  Bathrooms help sell homes.  Make this, as well as the kitchen shine.
  • Clean walls and paint with neutral colors.
  • Test all light fixtures and put in new bulbs.  Illumination is like a welcome sign.  The potential buyers will feel more comfortable with all lights on for an evening inspection.
  • Make up beds with attractive spreads.
  • Keep pets out of the way during showings.  One type of prospect is annoyed by pets.  The other has their attention diverted by them.
  • Avoid having too many people present during showings.  The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.  Do not allow children to tag along on a potential buyer’s tour.
  • Leave the showing up to the agent.  The agent knows the buyer’s criteria to emphasize the features of your home.  You will be called if needed.
  • Don’t discuss anything concerning the sale with the customer.  Let the Realtor discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer.  If a prospective buyer comes by unexpectedly without a broker, get their name and phone number.  FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION, DO NOT SHOW YOUR HOME.
  • Never try to sell furniture to a buyer before the deal is complete.