MARKET PREPARATION GUIDE

INFORMATION EVERY SELLER SHOULD KNOW BEFORE PUTTING THEIR HOME ON THE MARKET!

You never get a second chance at a first impression!

You'll never have more activity on your home than you will in the first three to four weeks of the listing. A property will usually sell for the highest price during this time. What more could you want than to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar?

You want to prepare your home to appeal to the most buyers in the shortest amount of time. The property needs to look good from the street, on the front porch and throughout the house. You want to give the impression of a well cared for home. If buyers have a choice of two comparable properties similar in price, they will usually choose the one in the best condition. Likewise, if two properties are similar in condition, the buyers will choose the one that is less money.

As Your Personal Realtor, I pay for the services of an interior design professional to help stage your home prior to putting it on the market. In addition, I have your home pre-inspected to determine what repairs or changes should be made prior to listing to determine what the buyer's inspector might find. I provide these services at my expense and as a value-added service to my clients. In the end, this helps you sell your home quicker and helps you net the most money.

Below are some basics to consider prior to listing your home:

• Air out your home to give it a fresh, clean smell.
  
• Wash all the windows in the house, inside and outside. Clean the window sills, the bottom of the window jambs and window blinds.
  
• Pressure wash the exterior of your home and all other surfaces including decks, driveways and sidewalks. You can rent a pressure washer at most home centers and do the job yourself, however, you can damage your home if you are not careful. You can also hire a professional to do it for you.
  
• If it has been over a year since the carpets were cleaned, now is the time to do it. The bare floors should also be waxed or polished.
  
• Put bright light bulbs in every socket made for a bulb. Buyers like bright and cheery so you will also want to keep the drapes and shades open during the day.
  
• Clean out all of the closets, cabinets, and drawers. Get rid of things you haven't used in the past five years and pack up everything that you haven't used in the last year. Closets should they look as though they have enough room to hold additional items. You might need to box up off season clothes to have more space. Get everything off the floor and don't have the shelves piled high.
  
• Remove cluttered or unnecessary furniture from a room. Even though it may be inconvenient, you will be better off by selecting the pieces that look best and putting the others in the garage, basement, or storage. If needed, you can even rent a mini-warehouse for a few dollars a month.
  
• Clean all appliances in the kitchen inside and outside.
  
• Clean the bathroom and have the bath tubs, showers and sinks freshly caulked. The grout should be clean and in good condition. There are excellent cleaners that will do the job without tons of scrubbing. Also, fix any leaks in the faucets or traps.
  
• Put fresh towels out in the bathrooms and replace the shower curtain if needed.
  
• Clean out the garage, basement and attic.
  

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