Tips to Help You Sell Your Home

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5 Tips for a Good Showing

1. Bright is Better
Light, both natural and electrical, can be a real "welcome sign" for home buyers. Turn on all interior and exterior lights, especially for evening showings.

2. Two is Company
If there are too many people around during a showing the prospective buyer may feel like an intruder and will rush through your home. Make plans to be elsewhere while your house is being shown--take your dog for a walk, take the kids out for ice cream or run a few errands.

3. Create a Welcoming Mood
A little soft background music might be a nice touch, as well as some treats left out for tired buyers or their children. Leave out some photos of what the garden looks like in the summer or what the trees look like in the fall.

4. Pets
Remember, some people might be allergic to cats or afraid of dogs. It is important that all pets are out of the way and not underfoot.

5. By Appointment Only
We recommend that your home be shown by appointment only. Appointments will be made with as much advance notice as possible. It is important that your home be ready for show when called.

10 Tips for a Quick Sale

1. Love at First Sight
An important rule of real estate�when a potential buyer comes to view your home, their first impression is lasting. The front door must be clean or freshly painted and the doorbell must be in working order. The front lawn and other landscaping should be mowed, weeded and neatly trimmed. The yard should be clean of refuse and leaves. The walkway and steps should be swept, and, in winter, free of ice and snow.

2. Charm Sells
Remember, people respond better to what "is" rather than what "could be." Faded walls and scuffed woodwork reduce the appeal of your home. A reasonable amount of redecoration, paint and wallpaper will bring better offers more quickly than waiting for people who can imagine your house rejuvenated.

3. Bright is Better
Open the drapes, curtains and shades. Clean the windows so the prospective buyers can see how light and bright your home is. Dark rooms tend to look dreary to most home-buyers.

4. Dripping Faucets
Fix leaky faucets and toilets. Dripping water suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.

5. The Truth is in the Details
Creaky doors, loose doorknobs, missing cabinet handles, sticking drawers, and stuck windows make for a less-than-grand first impression. Take the time to go around and check and repair all these things even if you think they are minor. You'll thank yourself at the closing.

6. Safety First
Always keep stairways and corridors clean and clear of clutter. For added safety make sure toys skateboards, roller blades and low-riding cycles are put away.

7. Space is Precious
When people are buying a house, they are interested in more than just the finished rooms. Show off the full value of your attic, basement and garage removing any unused items. Neatly stack cartons and boxes to showcase the storage potential.

8. Keep Closets Neat
Closets can be a make-or-break issue. Make yours look even bigger by having them clean, neat and well organized. Remove anything that takes away from the spacious look.

9. Bathrooms Sell Homes
Make your bathroom(s) sparkle. Clean rust stained sinks and tub area and replace any discolored caulking. Make certain that all light bulbs work and put out a fresh set of towels.

10. Cheerful Bedrooms
Keep bedrooms bright and cheerful. Use attractive and colorful bed linens and spreads. You can achieve this lasting impression inexpensively. Remove any excess furniture to avoid the crowded look.

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