Staging you home prior to going on the market is the most important task you can do to ensure top return on your number one investment! Here are a few tips that may help:
Exterior
Curb Appeal: First impressions are very important! Beautify the outside, especially the front.
•Fresh paint
•Remove weeds and/or moss and fertilize and patch lawn
•Trim and shape shrubbery
•Place fresh mulch in flower/shrub beds
•Clean gutters and downspouts
•Wash all windows
•Plant flowers that bloom during your selling season
•Clean concrete walkways and patios
•Make sure all screens are in place in the windows
•Consider replacing the roof if it is a distraction
•Remove all leaves and pine straw from the roof
Interior
Clean thoroughly and make house sparkle! Eliminate clutter and furniture you do not need.
•Sparkle and paint – give a fresh, new appearance
•Shampoo Carpets – consider carpet replacement if worn
•Remove any pet odors
•Replace old door knobs, faucets, light covers, etc.
•Clean doors, trim cabinets and counter tops
•Repair any inoperative appliances, heating and air conditioning or plumbing leaks
•Ensure all features work: doorbell, door locks, door handles, light sockets, etc
•A very light air freshener is nice
Basement
Anytime you have a basement or attic that is being used for storage areas, do the following:
•Clean, organize, stack all items neatly or out of sight
•Consider a yard sale of donations of all unusable items in storage
•Discard old paint cans, rags, empty containers, etc.
•Sweep the floors and deodorize if needed
•Make sure the light switches are well marked
Bathrooms
Clean and scour to remove dirt and mildew in all spaces:
•Re-caulk if grout is cracked and chipped
•Repair leaky faucets
•Clean commode
•Clean bathtubs and showers
•Polish sink and tub gaudiest
•Remove all mildew
•Paint window frames, walls, ceilings as needed
•Clean mirrors
•Clean exhaust fans (most people forget this)
•Place personal bathroom items out of sight
Bedrooms
One of the hardest items on the list to keep up with, if you have children:
•Unclutter closets
•Clean
•Unclutter items you do not need
•Make up beds everyday before leaving
•Make rooms as bright as possible
Kitchen
Clean outside of cabinets, rub out nicks with furniture polish (old English works well)
•Clean appliances (inside and outside)
•Clean stove vent fan
•Organize pantry and cabinets to give a spacious look
•Remove anything from the counter tops that give a cluttered appearance
•Clean under and behind the refrigerator and stove
•Clean light fixtures and bulbs
•Clean curtains
•Clean sink – polish knobs and sink
Living and Family Rooms
Make as bright as possible and unclutter the rooms
•Open curtains and blinds
•Turn on all lights prior to a showing
•Dust and wax
•Organize the hall closet
Fireplace
Clean out ashes and remove all residue from surfaces near the fireplace
•Paint if smoke has discolored any area outside the fireplace
•Clean chimney (as required)
Showing Etiquette
Leave the scene and allow the Realtor to show the property! Buyers feel like intruders when viewing a home while the sellers are present.
Here are a few tips to follow:
•Buyers sometimes pay inflated compliments in the presence of the owner rather than tell the Realtor what he/she needs to know.
•Occasionally the buyers may ask something that unintentionally upset the sellers
•Try to make a good first impression – first impressions are very important
•The first view of your home should make a buyer want to see if the inside is as great as the outside!
•Give the pets a vacation – the presents of pets and pet odors can kill a deal
•Let your house say, “Welcome Home!”
•Leave the lights on
•Open the draperies and blinds
•Make sure the temperature is comfortable
•Play soothing, soft music
•Clean the house until it sparklers!
•Musty smelling homes are difficult to sell and non-smokers will not stay long in a home that has heavy cigarette odors
Compliments of Ken Jones
RE/MAX Avenues
3475 Dallas Highway, Suite 112
Marietta, GA 30064
770-842-4531
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More About Ken Jones Remax: Ken Jones ia an Atlanta Realtor with one goal... to help his clients find homes for sale in Georgia. Visit www.kenjonesremax.com |
