Selling Tips

Why try to tell a prospective buyer how your home could look when you can show him with just a few small repairs, some clean-up and a little redecorating? Many times, buyers overestimate the costs of painting and repairs. Showing your home at its best, will result in a faster sale at a higher price.

Here are some things you can do to enhance the sale of your house:

• The front door greets the prospects. Make sure it is clean and inviting. Paint gutters
  and downspouts. Keep your lawn well manicured.



• Faded walls and woodwork reduce appeal. A small investment in painting will make
  your home look fresh and can return more in additional selling price.



• Pay attention to details. loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, pushed out screen
  doors and other minor flaws detract from your home's value.



• Fix that faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and implies faulty plumbing. Always make sure sinks and
  drains are clean and clear.



• Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking around tubs and showers. Make
  this room sparkle, enhance it with fresh flowers, clean guest towels and bathmats as you
  would for a special guest.



• Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture and use attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains. Open the windows and let lots of fresh air in.



• Make closets look bigger. Neat, well ordered closets show that space is ample. Closet
  lights are a special bonus: put some in!



• Display the full value of your attic and basement by removing all unnecessary articles. Perhaps, now is the time to start packing some of these items, and have neatly stacked boxes instead of cluttered shelves.



• Let the sun shine in! Open drapes and curtains to show how cheerful your home can be. Turn on every light in the house including closet lights.



• Soft music is inviting. Have the intercom or stereo tuned to a station of soft background
  music.



• Have Pets? Keep them out of the way - preferably out of the house. Pay special attention
  to pet odors in the house: air it out often.



• Silence is golden. Be courteous but don't force conversation with the potential buyer. He wants to inspect your house, not pay a social call.



• Three's a crowd. Avoid having many people present during inspections. The prospect
  will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house. Too many people in a house
  makes it look smaller.