THE BASICS

1. Make those minor repairs - no matter how minor.
2. Clean, Clean, Clean- Clean like you never cleaned before!
3. Pack away clutter-must create an illusion of spaciousness .
5. Let the sunshine in- get rid of heavy drapes and items that block light
6. Use color and lighting to draw attention to your homes best selling features.
7 Eliminate unpleasant odors, this goes for Fido too!
8. Display photos that show your home during other seasons.

9. Remove personal photos. People want to see themselves living there, not you.

THE FIRST THING THEY SEE- YOUR HOME'S FRONT DOOR AND PORCH

10. Create a colorful spot - flower pot etc.
11. Invest in a new doormat and be sure front door is well painted.
12. Have sparkling windows, even the hard to reach ones!

YOUR HOME'S ENTRY HALL

13. Create a dramatic focal point - e.g.., flowers, antiques.
14. Consider a well placed mirror to reflect light and create a feel of spaciousness

15. Improve floor appearance here, if nowhere else (except kitchen).
16. Clean out your coat closet.

YOUR HOME'S LIVING ROOM AND FAMILY ROOM

17. Treat these rooms as if they were stage settings-games room suggests good family life, a guitar is warm, a dictionary, half finished crossword puzzle- let the buyer imagine living in your home.
18. Highlight your fireplace, decorating the mantle or above with picture.
19. Remove furniture to improve traffic flow in these rooms.
20. Draw attention to exposed beams or a cathedral ceiling.
21. Don't let the TV dominate or be the focal point of the room.

YOUR HOME'S DINING ROOM OR DINING AREA

22. Set the scene by setting the table and add a centerpiece.
23. Visually enlarge a small dining area-remove leaves, place against wall, remove extra side chairs or large pieces.

YOUR HOME'S KITCHEN

24. Use props to set the scene- open cookbook, basket of eggs, bunch of carrots on a cutting board, ceramic mixing bowl with whisk, etc.
25. Make it smell great- simmer Christmas brew, bake bread, bowl of lemons, fresh coffee, cinnamon sticks etc.
26. Expand your counter space, store small appliances, use a moveable cart.
27. Create more storage space-neat organized shelves, hanging pot rack.
28. Accent kitchen windows-plants, bird feeder outside window.
29. Make small kitchen appear larger-repaint white (walls recede), light curtains, mirror.
30. Highlight an eat-in area, set the table, fruit as a centerpiece.

YOUR HOME'S STAIRWAYS

31. Make them safe- lighting, clutter-free, rail, carpet or runners secure?
32. Add visual interest- plant stand on landing, wallpaper can narrow.
33. Improve appearance of stair treads, clean or paint.

YOUR HOME'S BEDROOMS

34. Create a master bedroom "suite" effect ("Large is Better")- avoid busy patterns, small desk, chair with lamp, etc.
35. Tackle your closets, clear clutter, clear floor, organize shelves, smell.
36. Add storage boxes under the bed if you need more storage.
37. Depersonalize teenagers rooms- at your own risk!

YOUR HOME'S BATHROOMS

38. Create a look- plants, glass bowl of shells, pictures, fresh towels etc..
39. Invest in a new shower curtain and/or bath mat.
40. Improve (not replace) your floor covering, scrub and clean.
41. Put out fresh towels and soap.
42. Add a pretty dish of potpourri.

YOUR HOME'S BASEMENT

43. Organize items and run a dehumidifier to eliminate all moisture.
44. Increase wattage of all bulbs to brighten up.
45. Set it up as a games room or teen room -Ping-Pong table, bright posters.
46 Highlight a workbench area, dust, clean and organize.

YOUR HOME'S DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE

47. Fix up driveways for first impression impact.
48. Enlarge and improve appearance of garage with lights, clear floor, organized shelves.

YOUR YARD

49. Be sure to have a freshly mowed lawn with trim and edge work complete!
50. Mark property boundaries if fences or lines don't exist.
51. Use flowering plants to dress up your yard.
52. Draw attention to special trees- flowers at base to draw eye in.
53. Play up flat areas- badminton set or volleyball net.
54. Set up a backyard living/dining area- picnic table or rocking chairs.
55. Let your pool help sell your home- clean, open earlier or close later, if winter, have photo of pool in summer, draw up a pool information sheet including costs, upkeep time, installation date, pool size and pool items included with your home.

WHEN YOUR HOME IS SHOWN

56. Be willing to show your home (practically) any time -yes it's an inconvenience to show your home at dinner time, but if the people buy your home, isn't it worth a re-heated dinner?
57. Have a family game plan for last minute showing- dust the table, put the dishes in the dishwasher, have kids clean their rooms, hide those damp pantyhose hanging on the shower rod - don't dare apologize about the condition of your home! (This will start buyers out on a negative)
58. Air out your home an hour before showings- smell better, wide open windows on a nice day with a gentle breeze ruffling your curtains.
59. Set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature -this is not the time to economize.
60. Light a fire in the fireplace to set the mood.
61 Turn on lights in each room- brightens up your home.
62 Put pets out and send children to play at the neighbors (if possible).
63. Keep out of sight when your home is being shown- buyers feel uncomfortable when you're around. The benefit is they can more easily imagine the house as their own when you're not around.
64. Never volunteer information (you won't be there if you follow the previous tip). Resist the urge to tell them how great it is to have a bus stop out front for your children, as you may learn later that the prospective buyers have no children, work the evening shift and love to sleep in late in the morning.
65 Don't be compelled to apologize for what you may see as one of your home's weaknesses, you may be moving because of the traffic noise of that newly built highway, yet the buyer may be moving in your area because of the very proximity of the highway for quick commuting. Let the salesperson do the job of selling.

OTHER IDEAS AND CONSIDERATIONS

66. Have utility bills handy. Many purchasers want to know what to expect for monthly expenses.
67 Tell everyone you meet that your home is for sale- why keep it a secret, word of mouth is a strong selling aid.
68 Remain optimistic, it's easy to get discouraged after your home has been shown ten or twelve times, but you've done everything to make your home more salable, so don't take it personally. Keep in touch with me, I'll be continually updating you as to market activity. Remember someone is going to walk through your front door and fall head over heels in love with your home. After all, you did.
69. Don't be afraid to accept your first offer. If you've priced your home right, we may get an offer in the first week that is very close to the asking price. Don't panic and think your home is under priced, it means that the prospective buyers appreciate your home and want it badly.
70. Don't forget that every buyer wants to feel that he has got a "deal"- that is one reason you built bargaining leeway into your price in the first place.
71. Don't be afraid to call me any time with what may seem to be the smallest of questions. That's what I'm here for, to service you and get your home sold in the quickest time, with the least amount of inconvenience, and at the best price and terms for you.