First Impressions are most powerful!
Tidy up the yard, patios, and garage.
Keep landscaping trimmed. Add annuals for color—
especially where it will be visible from the street.
Clean or paint the front door and mailbox.
Contain all toys out of sight
Pare furniture to a minimum to open up space.
Add simple drapery panels at the windows
Décor and Cleanliness count!
Make sure kitchen and bathrooms sparkle
Put away all clutter—even the stuff you use everyday!
One or two items per counter or tabletop is plenty.
Invest in paint; choose neutral colors.
Use fresh, attractive bedspreads and pillows
If any furniture looks shabby, remove or replace it with something you can use in your new home.
Wash all the windows—inside and out.
Make closets seem spacious by organizing and deleting whatever is seasonal or can be packed for your move.
Updating the décor in kitchen and bathrooms pays for
itself while speeding up a sale.
Disrepair doesn’t get a pass.
Repair shutters, gutters, and down spouts.
Replace screens and screen doors, as needed.
Paint exterior trim
Paint hallways and entrances that appear worn.
Replace worn carpeting or damaged tile.
Repair or replace sticking doors or windows, dripping
faucets, loose knobs, running toilets, other small items.
Have a working light in every area—closets, garages,
outdoors. Everything shows better when well-lit.
Show Time!
Put out clean towels and make the beds.
Put dishes in the dishwasher or wash and put them away.
Straighten up newspapers, mail, pet toys, stray jackets, magazines, computer areas, etc.
Keep all steps clear of hazards.
Turn on the lights in every room.
Open all window coverings
Bake cookies, if possible, or simmer pot pourri.
Put out cut flowers, if possible.
Keep pets out of sight. They annoy some and distract
others.
Avoid having too many people present. You don’t want the Buyer to feel like an intruder.
Tidy up the yard, patios, and garage.
Keep landscaping trimmed. Add annuals for color—
especially where it will be visible from the street.
Clean or paint the front door and mailbox.
Contain all toys out of sight
Pare furniture to a minimum to open up space.
Add simple drapery panels at the windows
Décor and Cleanliness count!
Make sure kitchen and bathrooms sparkle
Put away all clutter—even the stuff you use everyday!
One or two items per counter or tabletop is plenty.
Invest in paint; choose neutral colors.
Use fresh, attractive bedspreads and pillows
If any furniture looks shabby, remove or replace it with something you can use in your new home.
Wash all the windows—inside and out.
Make closets seem spacious by organizing and deleting whatever is seasonal or can be packed for your move.
Updating the décor in kitchen and bathrooms pays for
itself while speeding up a sale.
Disrepair doesn’t get a pass.
Repair shutters, gutters, and down spouts.
Replace screens and screen doors, as needed.
Paint exterior trim
Paint hallways and entrances that appear worn.
Replace worn carpeting or damaged tile.
Repair or replace sticking doors or windows, dripping
faucets, loose knobs, running toilets, other small items.
Have a working light in every area—closets, garages,
outdoors. Everything shows better when well-lit.
Show Time!
Put out clean towels and make the beds.
Put dishes in the dishwasher or wash and put them away.
Straighten up newspapers, mail, pet toys, stray jackets, magazines, computer areas, etc.
Keep all steps clear of hazards.
Turn on the lights in every room.
Open all window coverings
Bake cookies, if possible, or simmer pot pourri.
Put out cut flowers, if possible.
Keep pets out of sight. They annoy some and distract
others.
Avoid having too many people present. You don’t want the Buyer to feel like an intruder.
Don’t allow your children to tag along on the tour.
Never apologize for appearance. It only accentuates or changes the mood to a negative.
Turn off all external noises such as TV, radio, or
dishwasher.
Look at each area and roomseparately. Ask yourself if there’s anything you’ve missed or that can
be done to improve the overall look and appeal. Ask your agent or a friend to give your home an
honest assessment. And then do it!
If you can see it, your prospective Buyer can too. Small amounts of money spent on repairs and
improvements make a big difference. The result may be a quicker sale. You want the Buyer’s tour of your
home to be a pleasant one. It’s those little things you do, or don’t do, that can promote your home
to a Sold rather than a For Sale home.
Never apologize for appearance. It only accentuates or changes the mood to a negative.
Turn off all external noises such as TV, radio, or
dishwasher.
Look at each area and roomseparately. Ask yourself if there’s anything you’ve missed or that can
be done to improve the overall look and appeal. Ask your agent or a friend to give your home an
honest assessment. And then do it!
If you can see it, your prospective Buyer can too. Small amounts of money spent on repairs and
improvements make a big difference. The result may be a quicker sale. You want the Buyer’s tour of your
home to be a pleasant one. It’s those little things you do, or don’t do, that can promote your home
to a Sold rather than a For Sale home.
