What can you do to prepare your house for showing? What small steps can be taken to increase your chances for a quick sale? Efforts to improve the appearance of your house can contribute greatly to its marketing success. Small efforts such as replacing defective light bulbs; repainting damaged trim areas around doors and windows; cleaning the carpets; and adding finishing touches such as fresh flowers can make all the difference!

Many Ways To Dress Your House For Successful  SALE!

q      Unflattering makes every room look larger and neater.  Remove or store things you don't need to create a comfortable and inviting feeling.  Remember, when in doubt, throw it out, sell it or give it away

q      Ensure the outside of your home is appealing by cutting and trimming the lawn and shrubs.  Weed, water and pick up after your pets.  Re-sod as needed, clean stains from driveways and sidewalks and remove any extra vehicles

q       In the kitchen, clear extra appliances and accessories from the counters. Remove extra dishes from your cupboards and pack them away. Clear areas used for memos and children's artwork.

q       Clean and organize your bathroom vanities, medicine cabinets, counters and linen closets.  Pack and store all extra items.

q       Remove newspapers and old magazines from coffee and end tables.  Remove and store any old furniture in need of repair and unhealthy plants and organize books on bookshelves.

q       Clear children play areas, organize and minimize closet items.  Store extra toys, clothes and boxes as well as excess furniture you have in bedroom areas.

q       Go through your tool shed, garage and basement to ensure that everything is picked up, stacked up and organized.

q       Cleaning makes your home easy to explore and gives the impression that it has been well cared for.  Ensure every room smells as good as it looks, paying special attention to pet areas, nurseries and bathrooms.

q       Wash windows inside and out.  Hose down the siding and brickwork around the house.

q       Wipe out the inside of all cupboards and polish cabinets.  Clean vents and exhaust hoods. Thoroughly clean all appliances inside and out.

q       Remove any stains or damaged caulking around tubs, shower stalls and  sinks. Clean and polish glass, mirrors and metal fixtures.

q       Have all carpets cleaned or at minimum spot cleaned.  Polish furniture and  woodwork. Clean and polish light fixtures.

q       Ensure that drapes and blinds are clean and  dust-free. Clean and polish all floors.

q       Repairing eliminates potential objections before they arise.  If you think something is too much trouble to fix, chances are someone else will, too.

q       Repair or replace damaged window screens, glass or hardware.  Repaint damaged trim areas around doors, windows and roof areas.  Replace and repaint damaged fencing.

      Repair leaky faucets.  Replace defective light bulbs, broken electrical outlets and switch plates.  Fill and paint any cracks in ceiling and walls.  Check all appliances, furnace, hot water heater and laundry connections and repair as needed.

q       Neutralizing helps people visualize their own things in your house and picture themselves living there.  Use neutral paint, decor and carpeting to create a home for any lifestyle.

q       Replace outdated wallpaper with a neutral paint or paper.  Replace patterned shower curtains and towels with new ones in neutral colors.

q       Consider painting your cement basement and garage floors in a neutral color. It will look newer and brighter this way.

q       Look through home decorating magazines for decorating ideas that can give your home that appealing edge.  From fresh flowers to fresh smells, this is the finishing touch.

q       Identify jobs around the house that need to be done prior to showing your home.  This should be a quick process, done daily, to make it easy for you and your family and ensure that your home is ALL READY FOR SHOW TIME !           

House And Yard Checklist

q       Lawns and yard; remove clutter, cut grass, edge walks, trim hedges, and weed.

q       Front of house - paint, fix or wash railings, steps, storms and screens doors.

q       Front door - makes sure it looks fresh, clean and scrubbed.

q       Other exterior - check side or back door and gutters; wash windows.

q       Garage - straighten up, paint, fix or wash doors and windows.

q       Plumbing - repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets.

q       Heating/cooling - clean exterior of unit.

q       Lights - replace all burned out bulbs and faulty switches.

q       Stairs - keep clear to give a wide appearance and avoid possible injuries.

q       Closets - show that space is ample by keeping them neat and well ordered.

q       Hardware - oil hinges; tighten loose doorknobs and faucets.

q       Minor repairs - fix sticking doors and windows and warped cabinet drawers.

q       General condition - dust, wash, paint, and fix defects, as required.

q       Utility spaces - display their full value by removing all unnecessary articles.

q       Basement - brighten a dark, dull basement by painting the walls.

q       Considers feeling of spaciousness - store unneeded items to "enlarge" room size

Critical Items

q       Kitchen :   stove, refrigerator, sink should be spotless and all work space clear.

q       Bathrooms :  neat, spotless and fresh.  Repair broken putty around tub.

q       Closets :   untidy or overcrowded closets suggest inadequate storage space

Showing The Hours

q      Children, pets and adults can keep buyers from feeling at ease 

      while they look through a home.

q       For showings, please be out of the house if possible. if you are in

      the home, be courteous,

q       Don?t force conversation with the potential buyer. They are here  

      to inspect your house, not pay a social call. 

q       Mention which room  has benefit from sunshine or cooling 

      breezes.

q       Tell them what you like about the house, the yard, the location. neighborhood, security, school, shopping etc.

q       For a daytime showing, open draperies and curtains and let the sun shine in to show the prospect

            how cheerful your home can be.

q       For an evening inspection, turn on all your lights for the entire showing. Turn some music on,

            but not a blaring radio or television. 

q       Keep music soft and inviting,  Try to keep Strong cooking or smoking odors out of your home.

q       Make sure your home is fresh for showings. Create a mood by popping popcorn, baking cookies or lighting a fire. 

q       Make the buyer  comfortable enough to get the mood of wanting to live here . 

Avoid any surprises by having choosing me as your real estate professional, I will guide you through the necessary steps. Rely on my expert advice to keep you well informed and prepared. It's just one more way that I will starve to take the anxiety out of buying your dream home. Count on my Skills, Experience and Outstanding Performance.

You are thinking of a Real Estate Transaction, No matter what locations or budget you may have in your mind and you are interested in, we are here, a team of competent professionals, extend our expertise, connections, power and services to your benefit.

You may have many questions to be answered. Please browse all the other links and respective pages to justify more facts and findings to your advantage at time of your buying or selling a Real Estate in Canada.

I F  Y O U  A R E  B U Y I N G:   Please Click:  Buyers_Page : Property_Buyers_Requisition    

I F  Y O U  A R E  S E L L I N G : Please Click: Sellers_Page : Property_Sellers_Requisition