Getting Ready To Sell

As a homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. It's important to have your home in good showing condition before buyers start going through it. Here are some steps to take:

Exterior
What does the outside of your home say to buyers? Does it say "Welcome, this is a great place to live!" or does it say "Beware, there could be problems with this house." The condition of your home's exterior is most important when it comes to buyer appeal.

• House number should be easy to read
• Lights on timers to ensure house is lit up after sunset
• Eaves troughs, and down spouts in good repair
• Garage/car port clean and tidy
• Litter picked up
• Cracked or broken window panes replaced
• Doorbell and door hardware in good repair
• Touch up trim paint on doors, window frames, fascia, etc.
• Trim bushes and plants as needed, and make sure the lawn is kept mowed and trimmed. In autumn, rake the leaves; in winter, keep the snow shoveled.
• Seasonal flowers will add color and a personal touch.
• Inspect the roof for necessary repairs and any visible broken shingles or tiles.
• Stucco water stains can be repaired using a mild bleaching agent.
• Fences should be mended and painted.
• Wash all windows inside and outside.

Interior
Rule number 1: Clean, Clean, Clean! No one wants to buy someone else's dirt (yuck) so make sure your home is sparkling clean and smells fresh. Then make your home warm, bright and welcoming.

• Lights should be on and drapes should be left open during daylight
• Heat set at a comfortable temperature, Air conditioner turned on in warm weather
• Fresh flowers/plants in various rooms
• Chipped plaster and paint touched up and repaired
• Doors and cupboards properly closed
• Leaky taps and toilets repaired, Seals around tubs and basins in good repair
• Burned out light bulbs replaced
• Squeaky doors oiled
• Mirrors, fixtures, and taps cleaned and polished
• Floors cleaned, garbage containers emptied
• Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy
• Valuable property, out of reach, out of sight, or locked away
• Pets absent, where possible, or contained during showings
• All torn screens should be repaired or replaced.
• White or light pastels are the easiest to work with and they make your rooms look larger
• Countertops neat and polished
• Appliances cleaned
• Consider putting excess furniture and belongings in storage. Now's the time to clean out the garage and basement and sell, give away or throw away items you don't need anymore.