CLEAN UP, FIX UP, PAINT UP OUTSIDE
1. Invest in landscaping. A well manicured lawn, neatly clipped shrubbery, cleanly swept walks and blooming plants create a good first impression.
2. Use a reputable "weed & feed" to make your grass look lush and green. Remember to edge and trim!
3. Cut back overgrown shrubbery.
4. Paint your house if necessary. This can probably do more for sales appeal than any other factor. If you decide against painting, at least consider touching up the front door, the front shutters and window frames. Neutral colors are appealing to a large group of buyers.
5. Inspect the roof and gutters. Any missing shingles to replace? Gutters and down spouts in place? Need paint or repair?
6. White flowers make a house look new! Consider putting potted flowers outside the front door. Consider painting the front door. Shades of red, blue, and green are appealing next to neutral shades and brick. Shine all metal and brass, clean the glass and consider a pretty, weather-proof wreath.
7. Repair broken steps, screens, etc...
KITCHEN
8. The kitchen is the most important part in the house. Make it bright and attractive. Clean cabinet fronts and replace drawer liners; women will be looking here.
9. Clean the ventilating hood in the kitchen as well as the oven.
10. If the kitchen floor is badly worn, put down new flooring. Replace loose tiles.
11. Remove any appliances that you keep on the counters. Clean counters make the room look larger.
12. Leave fresh baked cookies in the kitchen to create an inviting atmosphere.
BATHROOM
13. Repair dripping faucets.
14. Keep fresh towels in the bathroom.
15. Use special cleaning products to remove stains from the toilets, bathroom tubs, sinks and showers.
16. If the sink and bathtub drain too slowly, unclog them.
17. A strong-smelling deodorant soap makes a great clean scent in the bathroom. Put a new bar out weekly.
LIVING AREAS
18. Check ceilings for leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage, repair the ceiling and paint.
19. In painting and redecorating, avoid off beat colorsstick to conventional white outside and easy to work with pastels inside. Neutral colors never go out of style!
20. Replace faded window treatments and bedspreads.
21. If you have a fireplace, clean it out and lay some logs in it to make it look inviting. A pine scented freshener is easily hidden here. If it is summer place a green plant in the fireplace.
22. Wash windows.
23. Replace broken glass.
24. Replace torn screens.
25. Replace burned-out light bulbs with the recommended wattage. Try the new "blue" tinted lights for a fresher look.
26. Make sure every light switch works. Clean the switch plates!
27. Make the floors shine; clean and polish them.
28. Straighten up the closets - get rid of excess items. Use air freshener to eliminate musty odors. Lubricate any sticky or squeaky doors.
29. For doors that stick slightly, rub a block of paraffin - or soap - against the surface that shows signs of wear. You'll be surprised at the results.
30. For sliding doors that stick in their tracks, rub the tracks with paraffin or candle wax, or soap.
ATTIC AND GARAGE
31. Clean out attic and garage and dispose of everything you are not going to keep. And box everything you won't need until you're settled in your new home.
32. Clean and degrease the garage floor.
33. Make sure the light works in the attic and repair the stairs, if needed.
34. If you park your car in the garage-keep it clean.
WHEN YOUR HOUSE IS BEING SHOWN
35. Make sure all lights are on so the Realtor® and buyer are not searching for the switch.
36. Keep window treatments open to let light in, which also makes the rooms appear larger.
37. At night, turn on outside lighting.
38. Avoid clutter. Neatness makes a room look bigger.
39. If possible, leave your house furnished.
40. Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink or on the counters.
41. Keep toys in the children's rooms. Bikes, wagons and skate boards should be made as inconspicuous as possible.
42. Keep radio and TV off or leave intercom system tuned to soft soothing music.
43. Take your family away if your broker is holding an open house. Take Fido, too.
44. Children should be kept quiet.
45. Refer direct inquiries you receive about seeing your house to your Realtor® to take advantage of his or her professional skills in selling your home.
46. Depend on your Realtor's® guidance when asked about furnishings that may stay.
47. Take pets outdoors when your house is beingshown, or take indoor pets to Mom's or the neighbors.
48. Let your real estate expert show your house.
49. Top 3 areas buyers focus on....... Kitchen, Garage, Master Suite.
Thank you Kerri McCaskill at Hexter Fair - McKinney for this useful information!
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