TIPS FOR BETTER SHOWINGS
1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers
and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put
excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items
that are cramping closet space. Don't forget to clean out the garage,
too.
2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the
interior of the home.
3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first
impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been
well-cared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax
floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and
address numbers. It's worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford
it.
4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking
odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house.
Potpourri or scented candles may help, but don't overdo it.
5. Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to
brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in
closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of
neutral color paint.
6. Don't disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors,
torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial,
but they'll give buyers the impression that the house isn't
well-maintained.
7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim
the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb
appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway.
8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant,
if applicable.
9. Add a touch of color in the living room. A colored afghan or throw on
the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa.
10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by
frequently.
11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly colored fruit or
flowers.
12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and
create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living
there.
13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show
off the view if you have one.
14. Accentuate the fireplace. Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a
basket of flowers there if it's not in use.
15. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and
toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel
pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps.
Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.
16. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not
possible, crate them or confine them to one room, and let the real estate practitioner
know where they'll be to eliminate surprises.
17. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate
salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it's
impossible to watch everyone all the time.
18. Leave the home. It's usually best if the sellers are not at home.
It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express
their opinions of your home with you there.