1. Front Yard
1. Mow, edge, blow
2. Continue to fertilize and weed
3. Trim overgrown shrubs and trees away from the home; do not allow shrubs to cover windows or touch the home--this item will inevitably appear on your inspection report anyway
4. Remove tools, toys, empty flower pots and yard trinkets (even if you think they're cute, they're not 'cute' to everyone) and they are, after all, your potential buyer's first impression of your home.
5. If you cannot hide hoses coiled behind the bushes, add a decorative hose reel or hanger and keep it neat
6. Apply fresh mulch & add blooming annuals to the front steps or mailbox; the fewer the pots, the better--less IS more!
7. Add a decorative but, simple wreath to the front door.
   
   
2. Entry
1. The buyers' first impression is critical, and shapes their mindset for the entire showing
2. Invest in a new welcome mat
3. Clean, sand and re-stain or paint to eliminate prints, stains, mildew fading or rough wood edges
4. Consider having your whole house power washed to remove stains, spider webs and dirt.
5. The foyer should be clear of shoes, coats, or excess items on the walls.
6. Create a single focal point in the entry with a simple table or painting. Remember simplicity is elegance!
   
   
3. Living Areas
1. Rooms should be sparsely furnished to appear larger and lighter.
2. The garage or an off-site storage room can be used to hold extra pieces of furniture but, a portable onsite storage unit can prove to be more effective--leaving your garage open and your storage items already loaded and ready to move!
3. Remove large pieces of furniture that may be overbearing--do not block walkways, windows or doorways with furniture
4. Do not leave stereo wiring exposed
5. Choose one or two elements as the main points of interest in a room - wood floors, a view, a table or piece of furniture, a nicely made bed, etc.
6. Remove personal collections, trophies, excessive books and photographs as these are distracting for buyers and after all, aren't they there to look at your home?
7. A few decorative items or photographs on tables are fine, but reduce these to just a few nice pieces.
8. Keep only healthy, vibrant plants in the home and be sure that they are dust-free
9. Open blinds and leave on lights/lamps throughout the home.
   
   
4. Kitchen
1. Clean, evenly finished cabinetry is a must. Add new paint or stain, if necessary.
2. New cabinet pulls are an inexpensive item that can help tie the room together in terms of colors and finishes.
3. Remove items that are purely functional such as baking pans, bowl sets, small appliances, vitamins, phone books, etc.
4. Remove ALL items from your refrigerator doors and sides! This is another distraction that prevents the potential buyer from making this house THEIR home!
5. Clear the counters leaving only a few decorator items, selecting items that contribute to the overall, organized look such as flowers, fruit bowls, cookbook display, wine, antiques, folded for 'display' dishtowels, designer/name brand appliances.
6. Clean out your cabinets if they need organizing and cleaning. Remember your potential buyers are going to want to see what kind of cabinet space THEY are going to have!
7. Put your trash container under the cabinet or in the pantry (covered, of course!)
   
   
5. Bathrooms
1. Start by removing everything from the counters.
2. Remove any toilet brushes or cleaners that are visible.
3. Put items that you use daily - toothbrushes, soaps, razors - in a container, and place the container inside the cabinet.
4. Decorate with fresh soaps, flowers, bowls, photos, or designer bath items--but, ONLY a couple of items!
5. If your towels are ragged and worn, invest in new towels and fold them carefully.
6. Never leave medicines, money, jewelry, guns, or personal possessions of this type on display ANYWHERE in your home!
   
   
6. Bedrooms
1. Sparsely furnished bedrooms are best. Use your best covers, or invest in new ones if yours are old and worn.
2. Clear off bedside tables, leaving only a book or a nice decorative item.
3. Leave your bedside lamps to add a warm ambience for showings.
4. Remove excess paintings or photos from the walls, especially personal photos.
5. If your window treatments are old or dirty, take them down and clean the windows for a fresh look. You may want to leave them off to allow more light into your home.
6. Children's bedrooms usually need to be simplified. Remove posters and go ahead and pack up most toys.
7. Remove extra furniture to avoid an overcrowded look.
   
   
7. Closets
1. Organize your pantry with everything facing forward. Remove excess food and containers and throw out the items that are expired and no longer edible. Otherwise, you're going to have to pack them up anyway!
2. Remove items in your closet that you haven't worn in the last year, packing them up and donate or yard-sale them! You'll only wind up moving them and not wearing them in your new home either!
3. The laundry room often functions as a dumping ground! Clear everything out, and have just your necessary items in the cabinets or on the shelves.

1. Repeat Front Yard items 1 through 5
2. Poop scoop EVERY DAY! Potential buyers LOVE to walk out into the backyard and look back at the house. You DON'T want them stepping in something smelly and tracking it through your house!
3. Remove play gym equipment unless it is wooden and in great shape. Chances are, the buyers are not going to want it if you don't! And, you may want to take it down if you want to take it with you and not have to negotiate it when you go to Contract!
4. Ascertain that all fencing is intact and posts areas have been weeded well. Repair any broken fencing.
5. If you're not using that pond, get rid of it and re-seed that area or mulch and plant a few annuals in its place.
6. Clear off your deck or patio--minimize the items on it--only a grill and table and chairs are really needed.
7. Be sure that your door is painted and repaired.
8. Check the gutters to be certain that they are not full of debris. If they are, clean them out and if they need polishing, have that done--it can really give a clean look to the exterior.

Charlotte Realtor® Offers SELLER TIPS, Part 1: PRICING
Dear Seller:

About the author:

Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate Broker, Certified Neighborhood and Relocation Specialist who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Charlotte NC or any place in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice. Debe has created a team of professionals throughout the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search. The destination service is of no cost to you! Please visit www.TheMaxwellHouseGroup.com for your relocation and/or your local needs.

Debe Maxwell- HELEN ADAMS REALTY - 704.491.3310 - Debe@DebeMaxwell.com

Copyright © 2008 By Debe Maxwell, All Rights Reserved...*Charlotte Realtor® Offers SELLER TIPS, Part II: De-Cluttering*

      

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