Sellers

Feel free to contact me for a free consultation.  In the meantime, here are some of the basics:

• Try to disassociate yourself from your home; it makes the preparations easier.  Think of what the future holds as you move to your new home!

• "Neutralize" your home.  Put away personal photos and family heirlooms; prospective buyers may have difficulty envisioning your home as their new home if it's filled with your personal memorabilia....especially that picture of great-uncle-Milton staring at them as they walk down the hall. 

• Get rid of clutter!  If you're like most people, you've collected an incredible amount of "stuff" over the years.  Problem is, it's terribly distracting to a prospective buyer. You want the buyer to be thinking about this great property that's available for him to make his own....not wondering how much money you've got wrapped up in your beanie baby collection or if there's actually usable counter space under all that "stuff" in the kitchen.  And let's not forget about that messy garage!  Now's a great time to donate unnecessary items!

• Make minor repairs.  We're funny creatures in that we might see 10 great things yet all we remember is the 1 "bad" thing.  Fix leaky faucets, squeaky hinges, and drywall cracks. Replace burned-out light bulbs, re-caulk around the fixtures, replace cracked tiles and re-grout as necessary. You may seriously want to consider a fresh coat of paint, ESPECIALLY if any of the rooms are painted anything BUT neutral colors....Timmy may have liked his bedroom painted like a circus tent and Jenny might be into gothic black and purple but believe me, your prospective buyers will not!  Remember...your buyers are trying to envision your home as theirs; neutral tones are always a safe bet!

• Clean, clean, clean!  Wash windows inside and out, clean and/bleach grout, get rid of 'soap scum' in the shower/tub, clean the carpets, wipe down walls (get rid of crayon marks!), clear cob webs, hose off sidewalks, polish faucets, dust furniture and window sills.  New bathroom towels, throw rugs, and bedding are inexpensive ways to update the home and stage it for showing.

• Be prepared for showings!  You never know when a buyer will want to see your home.  Vacuum often and don't leave out dirty dishes or mounds of laundry.  Neutralize any 'odors' in the home (smoke, pets, etc.)  Carpet cleaning and paint are the best ways to accomplish this.  Try leaving a pleasant, mild-smelling candle in the kitchen (scents of baked goods or fruity aromas; nothing floral or musky)...but be careful not to overdo it!  Remember, you want this to be a pleasant experience for the buyer; you want this to be their new home!  

Please see the FAQ's page for additional resources for Sellers