Steps to Preparing Your Home for Sale

• Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything. Clean carpets if necessary.
• Mow your lawn and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away
• Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although real estate professionals will be on site with buyers, it is impossible to watch someone all the time
• Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle and it is the number one complaint of buyers: "The home is too Dark"
• Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room.
• Leave when there is a showing. If that is not possible, let the agent know in advance
• Put fresh flowers in the principal rooms and be aware of pet odors or cooking odors
• Replace old shower curtains, put out fresh towels and soaps
• Buy a fresh doormat, turn on outside lights, and polish the door handle
• Put away kitchen appliances and personal bathroom items and never leave more than 3 items on any counter
• De-personalize the rooms by putting away family photos, mementos, and distinctive artwork
• Make the rooms look more spacious by taking away some excess furniture
• Pressure wash driveways, patios, and walkways
• Make functional repairs such as sticking doors and leaky faucets