WHAT DO I BRING TO MY LISTING: DAY 1...

The home is vacant.  It's a nice three bedroom home in the south of Naperville.  Tons of space, two thirds of an acre, a sun room, big windows, walk to Springbrook Forest Preserve...Needs just a bit of updating...

I will be putting it on the market this afternoon.  It had previously been listed by another agent for 244 days. 

The seller?  He was an investor who had "found me on the internet."

As an investment property, the house has been vacant for sometime.  It is fairly clean.  But stale.

It needs just a bit of love.

I have been putting together the things I will need today:

1.   Broom and dustpan:  I believe clean floors are the most important thing for a home on the market.  Especially a vacant one.  A broom and dustpan is the way to start on the hardwood, even in a vacant home.

2.  Mop and Murphy's Oil Soap:  The home has a ton of hardwood.  Clean shiny hardwood looks great.  Dull dusty hardwood looks OK.  The floor needs shined.  The air smells stale.  Common for any vacant home.  The Murphy's Oil soap smells great.  Should keep the house smelling fresh for weeks.

3.  Rags and all purpose cleaner:  I don't know how it happens, but empty homes just seem to get dirty.  Perhaps the house has had more traffic than I think.  But once again, a fresh scrub of the window sills and sinks will help alot.  Their are a few cobwebs that don't help at all, especially on a sunny day.  

4.  Glass cleaner and paper towels:  Windows and mirrors are crucial.  Once again, when clean they look awesome, when they are dirty...not so much.

5.  Vacuum (Dyson):  The carpet is new and looked great, but I want to be sure.  Once again, the floors give you the most bang for the buck.  Clean is great.  Dead bugs in the corner is always a turnoff.  The Dyson was a gift from a seller.  Thanks Greta!

6.  FOR SALE SIGN:  Bold red with color picture.  I figure, why not?  Helps spread the brand more than just my name alone.

7.  Sentri-Card Lock Box:  This is the new access box that my Local Realtors Association began using a few months back.  I think they are much more useful than our old Supra boxes.

 8.  Wood Brochure Holder:  There are many varieties of holders.  The wood look nicer.  Costs a little more.  But worth it.

9.  House keys:  All this planning doesn't do much good if I can't get in. :)

10.  Digital Camera:  It's about 3:30 on a beautiful fall day.  It should be a great time to get some nice pictures...

So I must get moving.  The sun sets quickly this time of year...

I will need to return to the home in the next couple days.  Brochures still need to be made and put in and outside of the home. 

I have lots of work to do.

Ken

A Realtor you can trust.