MAKING A FIRST IMPRESSION

A house that sparkles on the surface will sell faster than its "shabby" neighbor, even if both are structurally well maintained. A "well dressed"house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price.When preparing your home for the market,spend as little money as possible. Buyers will beimpressed by a brand new roof, but they aren'tlikely to give you extra money to pay for it. Aswell as, an appraiser won't add more to thevalue of the home because they expect it tohave a roof, new or not. There is a big differencebetween making minor and inexpensivepolishes and touch-ups to your house. Such as,putting new knobs on cabinets or a fresh coatof neutral paint in the living room isrecommended before doing extensive andcostly renovations like installing a new kitchen

Luckily, your agent is a certified stager and interior decorator and can give you recommendations on how to present your home

Staging is another way to put the finishing touches on a home and help itlook spacious but still inviting. Once you have gone through this list, we candiscuss ideas for staging

Depersonalizing and de-cluttering can be the most difficult part of sellingyour home, but it is often the most important thing, next to pricing itcorrectly. Buyers tend to have specific tastes, and whether it's modern,traditional or shabby chic - they are drawn to it. Remove any items thatreflect your personal tastes so that the buyer can imagine themselves andtheir things in each room. You want the buyer to embrace your house as theirfuture home. I also want you to take your emotion out of it and think of it as aproduct you are selling. You will have a new home soon to personalize allyour own. This process will also give you a jump-start on your packing.Don't let this list overwhelm you. Enlist some friends and family or hire someprofessionals for cleaning and lawn service. Own way too much stuff, butcan't commit to purge? Rent a storage unit to hold the extra furniture youwon't need until your move.

EXTERIOR ITEMS

• Remove all garbage cans, wood scraps or building materials, etc
• Make repairs to fences and paint, if needed
• Stain or paint front door to fix dings or dents (first impressions!)
• Make sure the front door is in working order.
• Make sure keys work well and door is easy to lock/unlock.
• Clean off any exterior residue on the outside of the house.
• Check to see if paint needs touch-ups or caulking updates.
• Remove any dead plants. Weed and prune.
• Keep your lawn manicured and watered.
• Sweep all walkways, patios and decks.
• Add some potted flowers on the porch, if weather permits.
• Clean pool and maintain chemicals.
• Plan for kid's outdoor toys to be put away for showings.
• Sweep out and organize garage.
• Arrange garage tools and clutter in bins.
• Store RV's and old cars elsewhere while house is on the market.
• Consider pre-inspecting the home.
• Curb appeal can seal the deal.

KITCHEN

• Clear all unnecessary objects from kitchen countertops.
• Remove anything stuck to the refrigerator or cluttering the top of it.
• Repair broken tile or loose corners on counters.
• Clean stovetop and oven.Replace burner pans, if stained.
• Polish kitchen sink. Keep clean and empty.
• Keep garage disposal clear and deodorized.
• Remove all soaps, sponges, etc., and keep out of sight under the sink.
• Pack up all that old burnt pan and other items in the kitchen,not often used, to make room in cabinets for small kitchen appliances so counters are clear.

DINING ROOM

• Remove any additional leaves in table to make room larger.
• Clear off dining table but leave centerpiece (remove table cloth)

BATHROOMS

• Clean all surfaces and put toiletries in drawers and cabinets
• Leave out bottle of hand soap or clean bar of soap.
• Make sure to leave out a clean hand towel.
• Put out your new or fresh, neatly folded towels or hang on bars.
• Clear all items out of shower stalls and tubs, except necessities.
• Keep toilet lids closed (especially for showings).
• Hide garbage can and cleaning supplies (toilet brush out of sight).
• Clean shower curtain or replace if needed (neutral, like white).
• Repair any cracking or peeling areas and clean any mildewed areas.
• Paint if needed.
• Give your tub or shower a fresh bead of silicone caulking to make it lookneat and clean, if needed.