What you should know before selling

10 TIPS TO SELL A HOUSE FASTER     "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is never more true than when purchasing a home. Here are some very basic pointers you can print out and share with home sellers to help get them headed in the right direction:

• 1. De-Clutter: This one is simple. De-clutter everywhere; inside and outside. If it's taking up space it is a potential candidate to be thrown out. The sellers need to make that all important mental conversion from "home to live in" to "house for sale." Personal things are a big distraction as you want the buyers to be able to visualize their own belongings in the house.
• 2. Repair: Buyers want everything working so don't disappoint them - dripping faucets, broken windows, leaking roofs, damaged walls and doors, etc, beg the question in the buyer's mind...What else is broken or doesn't work? Also, fix any loose knobs, sticking doors, windows or drawers.
• 3. Lots of Light: The last thing home buyers want to see is a dark home with all of the doors and windows covered. Let the light in and open some windows to let in some fresh air. Room deodorizers leave the impression of covering something up as does a window that has the blinds drawn.
• 4. Clean Windows: Buyers want to know and see the view they will have from every room - don't make them look through dirty windows. If they do, the impression of having a great view is literally going "out the window."
• 5. Kitchens and Bathrooms: Two of the most important rooms in the house. They must be spotless and first class. Just cleaning up isn't going to be good enough - you need to "deep clean" all counters, appliances, floors, cabinets and all the fixtures in the bathrooms. In the bathrooms consider new fixtures or countertops and perhaps redoing the shower and tub enclosures. If new fixtures are not in the budget you may want to consider having them refinished. Think about having all the tile steam cleaned and make sure all grout is free from grease and dirt. Remove any unused or unnecessary items from counter tops and refrigerator fronts.
• 6. Odors: Absolute deal killers are digarette or pet odors. If this is a problem - have the drapes, carpets and furniture professionally cleaned and please..."no smoking" in the house. Also, cooking odors are not a good thing. The best bet is to always plan for fresh air. Often a little lemon oil mixed with water in a spray bottle used lightly will add just a bit of freshness without overpowering the house.
• 7. Paint: A fresh coat of paint on the outside or inside is an excellent way of freshening up your home. Be sure to use neutral colors and avoid accent painting. Don't try and guess what a potential buyer will like. In most cases they should use a professional painter because it's always a bigger job than most people think. If a new coat of paint is not necessarily called for, be sure the exterior walls and doors are fresh and clean.
• 8. Yard Work: Deal with overgrown bushes, shrubs and trees. Everything in the yard needs to be trimmed, watered, manicurred and "living." Remove everything lying around the yard including sports equipment, boats, trailers, toys, etc. You may also add some color by placing some annuals in planters in the back as well as in the front. Curb appeal makes that all important and crucial "first impression."
• 9. Furniture: The bottom line...less is best. If it's old, worn or dated, you should put it in storage. remember that you are setting a stage and the actor needs to be the house - not their furniture.
• 10. Hardwood Floors: Hardwood floors can be a huge plus for buyers unless they look like a 20 year old basketball court. It may be a great investment to have them all refinished - but keep in mind that it's not a simple weekend project.

Once you get everything in shape, here are some additional points to review to help your home show its best!

• 1. Prior to the prospective buyer's arrival, create a cheerful atmosphere by opening the drapes, blinds and curtains. Make sure the temperature is comfortable throughout your home.
• 2. Avoid having too many people in your home at any one time. (We try to schedule showings in order not to have more than one showng at a time.) It is usually best for the homeowner's to be away if possible during the showing. Potnetial buyers may feel like intruders and hurry through the home.
• 3. Unless pets are quiet, peaceful and well behaved, get them out of the way of showings.
• 4. Soft background music is pleasant during showings, but turn off blaring stereos, radios or televisions. They can only impede discussions.
• 5. Too much talking on your part can only distract from the buyer's inspection of your property. Keep conversations to a minimum if you are present during showings.
• 6. Again, it's a good idea to stay in the background - better yet, leave the home during showings. Their agent is trained to sell your home and is familiar with the buyer's needs and can point out the significant features of your home.

Is all this effort worthwhile? Consider that you are competing for the buyer's attention with other seller's. Time and effort invested to make certain that your home is shown in its best light will not only give you a competitive edge, but will also help you get the best price in the least amount of time for your property. The condition of your home inside and out can either add or deduct several thousand dollars from the selling price.