| Getting ready to get your
home on the market! Outside
Create a good first impression. Mow the lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs
that keep light out of the house, and remove dead plants. After all, you can't sell
a house if a buyer can't see it. Store tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and
building materials neatly in a storage area. Replace broken or missing roof
shingles, and straighten and clean the gutters and down spouts. Clean all windows
and mend torn screens. Paint your house if necessary. This can probably do
more for sales appeal than any other factor. If you decide against painting the
entire house, at least consider painting the front door, window frames, and shutters.
Seal or resurface driveway and repair broken steps and walkways. Paint or
replace your mailbox and post. Dress up the front yard by placing quartz stones or
pine barks around shrubs, lamp post, and mailbox post.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Look at your home as though you are seeing it for the first time. Is every room
neat, spotlessly clean, dusted and uncluttered? Steam clean carpets and wax floors.
Wash walls, windows and light fixtures. Liquid Gold all trim and wood
surfaces. Tighten loose stair railings. Call us if you would like to use a
professional cleaning service or repairman.
Foyer
Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the house. Fill the house with
the pleasant aroma of cinnamon, or other fresh scent.
Living Room
Clean woodwork, shampoo carpet, and wash all the windows. Replace the carpet if it's
worn or old. I know it costs money, but you will get it back PLUS more. Patch
cracks, nail holes, and repaint walls in neutral colors such as "Antique White."
Nail down creaking boards and stair treads. Lubricate any sticking or
squeaking doors. Discard worn furniture and move the extras to a storage unit.
Remember, too much furniture makes rooms look cluttered and small. Visit
model homes to get decorating ideas. Open all curtains. Replace if they're
old. Add lamps and lighting if dark. Set out some fresh flowers.
Furniture
Rearrange or remove furniture to make your rooms look more spacious. Pack away
knick-knacks from end and coffee tables-- one or two items per surface is plenty.
Kitchen and Baths
These rooms should gleam! Clear off counters. Clean all appliances and
fixtures. Replace chrome burner plates on the range. Scrub floors and walls--
repaint if necessary. Recaulk tubs and showers. Clean thoroughly and be sure
these rooms smell fresh.
Closets
Remove out-of-season clothing. Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to
discard anyway when you move. Organize shelves, straighten shoes. Be sure
sliding doors operate smoothly in their tracks and knobs on drawers are secure.
Utility Room
Dust and wash off lint from washer and dryer. Dust and wash off hot water heater.
Light and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Replace dim bulbs with bright ones,
replace wallpaper with off-white paint, repaint shabby or dark walls. Open the
blinds, replace broken windows and window seals. During winter, maintain a
comfortable temperature even if you are away for extended time. There is no music
that soothes all beasts, so play it safe by turning your stereo off. |
