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Hot Tips To Help You Sell Your Home:

Once you've decided to put your home on the market, it's important to take a close look at it from the viewpoint of a prospective buyer.  Objectively evaluating each area & then making your home "show ready" can have a major pay-off in terms of the offers it will attract & how soon those offers come in.

The Big Picture:

1. Keep it uncluttered: It will look neater & look larger.  You will convey a more spacious feeling.

2. Keep it clean: You will create the impression that the house is well cared for.  Fresh paint makes rooms look clean & new.

3. Keep it repaired: Fix items before buyers question them.  The need for repairs can make or break a sale.

4. Keep it neutral: Get rid of distracting colors & personal accessories.  Neutral colors & simple decor help prospective buyers visualize their own belongings in a room.

5. Keep it dynamic: Make your home memorable.  Fresh flowers & fresh clean smells make your home more inviting.

6. Keep it light & bright: Open curtains & drapes to let the sun shine in.  Turn on lights.

7. Showtime: Put away any toys, clothes, food, or other "left out" items.

The Small Details:

Outside: Trim, weed, tidy up lawn & garden.  Clean up pet areas-resod or reseed.  Repair screens, windows & doors.  Add fresh mulch under shrubs.  Add potted or hanging flowers to decks & porches.

In the kitchen: Clean away extra small appliances.  Remove stains & items from sink.  Straighten up memo areas & remove papers.  Clean & deoderize vent or exhaust hood.

In the bathroom: Clean counters of extra toiletries.  Store them out of sight.  Remove stains or mold from sink, tub, & shower.  Patch, caulk & grout as needed.  Put out attractive "for showings only" towels.

In The Living Room & Family Rooms:

Rearrange furniture for a more spacious feel.  Remove any extra pieces & store.  Spot clean carpets or rugs.  Have neutral paint or wallpaper.  Accent with fresh flowers.  Open the shades & drapes to let in light.

In The Bedroom:

Straighten up closets.  Box & store clothing, shoes, etc. as necessary.  Arrange toys to look appealing.  Add curtains or valences to rooms without them.  Remove attention-getting posters.

In The Basement or Garage:

Thoroughly clean & deoderize areas where pets sleep or spend time.  Straighten tool shop & laundry.  Sweep floors.  Clean up grease spots & other spills.  Get rid of items you won't be taking with you.