Your Agent will offer great tips on creating an atmosphere that will charm buyers and make them want to buy your home. Remember, you’ll only get one chance to make a first impression! Follow these simple tips and create the competitive edge that can help you sell your home more quickly.

Drive Up Appeal

• Trim trees and shrubs.
• Clean out flower beds and invest in a few flats of seasonal flowers.
• Paint the front door.
• Make sure doorbell is working properly.
• Wash the mailbox.
• Sweep the porch and buy an attractive mat for people to wipe their feet.

Interior Basics

• Air out the home. Most people are turned off by even the smallest odor. Odors must be eliminated; especially those caused by dogs and cats, soiled diapers, and cigarettes.
• Wash all the windows in the home, inside and out.
• Shampoo the carpet. Wax and polish bare floors.
• Install bright light bulbs in every light socket. Buyers like bright & cheery.
• Clean out closets, cabinets, and drawers. Closets should look like they have enough room to hold additional items. Move everything off of the floor and don’t keep shelves piled to the ceiling.
• Make sure rooms are not overcrowded with furniture. Select pieces that look best, and store the rest.
• Keep the kitchen sparking clean. Make sure all appliances are clean at all times. Straighten cupboards that appear cluttered and keep floors gleaming.
• Make sure all bath tubs, showers and sinks are freshly caulked. The grout should be clean and in good condition. There should be no leaks in the faucet or traps.
• Keep unnecessary items put away if you have limited counter space in the kitchen.
• Keep children’s toys out of the front yard, sidewalks, and front porch.
• Clean ashes out of the fireplace.
• Make sure the pull-down staircase is working correctly. Be sure there is a
  light in the attic.
• Keep the pool needs to be sparkling and free of leaves.

Go the Extra Mile

• There are some things you can do that will really add flair to your home. If your house is the least bit dated, changing out wallpaper and replacing old light fixtures adds desirability.
• Fresh paint on interior and/or exterior where needed.
• New appliances in the kitchen can be an exciting feature that can actually make the difference in a buyer choosing your home over another.

Showing Your Home

Follow these tips to maximize your efforts when you show your home.

• When you leave the house in the morning or during the day, leave it as if you know it is going to be shown.
• Maintain a nice scent in the house, such as potpourri, simmering pots or candles.
• Make sure all lights are on and window treatments are open.
• Turn off the television.
• Keep pets out of the way – preferably out of the house. Many people are uncomfortable around some animals and may even be allergic to them.
• Leave your premises. Take a short break while your home is being shown. Buyers are intimidated when sellers are present and tend to hurry through the house. Let the buyer feel at ease and the agents do their job.

Pre-Inspections

Having a pre-inspection done when putting your home on the market will give you information on the condition of your home. You will be able to anticipate any potential problem that may arise during buyer inspections.

Home Warranties

Many home purchasers erroneously assume that the Seller is always somehow liable when there is a defect or failure found in the home’s cooling, heating, plumbing, electrical and/or appliances after the Buyer takes ownership. Unless otherwise documented in the contract, the risk of loss often falls on the Buyer. Even when the contract provides that heating, plumbing, pool & equipment, electrical, etc. be “operative” on or until date of possession, disputes can arise as to when the breakdown occurred, who is responsible, how the repairs are to be funded, and when they are to be made.

Home warranty plans can alleviate these risks and concerns. For a modest price (currently basic coverage is $299 to $385, slightly more for optional coverage), Sellers can provide a one year warranty covering specified heating, plumbing, electrical, water heater or appliance breakdowns. Coverage under most plans commences at closing (although some can be made to commence during the listing period, as well). In all cases, there are important limitations and exclusions (example: appliances must be operative at commencement of coverage) stated through the warranty.

Next : Guide to Selling Your Home, Part III
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