PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE

Did you know well-placed furniture can open up a room and make rooms seem larger than they are?

Or that opening drapes and blinds and turning on all lights make a room seem bright and cheery?

Did you know the scent of your home can leave a lasting effect on a potential buyer?  Baking bread, cookies or pie leaves an inviting fragrance.

It’s a fact: acquiring the highest market value and elevating your home above others in the same price range often comes down to first impressions.

Here are some inexpensive ways to maximize your home’s appeal:

Exterior

• Keep the grass freshly cut

• Remove all yard clutter

• Apply fresh paint to wooden fences

• Paint the front door

• Weed and apply fresh mulch to garden beds

• Clean windows inside and out

• Wash or paint homes exterior

• Tighten and clean all door handles

• Ensure gutters and downspouts are firmly attached

Interior

• Remove excessive wall hangings, furniture and knick knacks (consider a temporary self-storage unit)

• Clean or paint walls and ceilings

• Shampoo carpets

• Clean and organize cabinets and closets

• Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps

• Clean all light fixtures

For showings

• Turn on all the lights

• Open drapes in the daytime

• Keep pets secured outdoors

• Play quiet background music

• Light the fireplace if seasonally appropriate

• Infuse home with a comforting scent like apple spice or vanilla

• Vacate the property while it is being shown