Tips

Most people start packing long before they need to. As a result, the house looks like a disaster area for weeks before the actual move. The average household can be packed up in less than a week. Set aside one room in the house in which packed boxes can be kept out of the way while you're packing the balance of your belongings.

Nothing makes a home look newer faster than a fresh coat of paint. Neutral earthy colours such as beige and taupe are in style, and a coat of off-white can freshen up a room and offer a broad appeal to prospective buyers. These colours suggest newness and cleanliness. It's a good idea to stick to neutrals when making any improvements prior to selling your home.

One of the first things a buyer looks at in a home is the storage it offers. A general rule of thumb for sellers is to take out half of what's in the closets and storage areas to make them look more spacious. Take advantage of the fact that you're preparing to move. This might be the right time to throw out, donate, sell, or store things you no longer want or use. Remove excess furniture, even if only temporarily, to make rooms seem as spacious as possible.

Fluorescent lights provide three times the light for the same amount of electricity as incandescent lights, and are economical for bathrooms and kitchens. Buy a water heater insulation blanket. This saves up to 9% on your water heating cost. Fix the drips on all faucets, one drip a second can add up to 700 gallons of hot water a year!

Close draperies at night to keep out the cold. Open during the day to let the sun shine through. Cut costs by weather-stripping doors and windows. Close off rooms not in use.

Put the dishes in the dishwasher (or quickly wash them!)

1. Make the beds.
2. Wipe the counters.
3. Empty the garbage.
4. Hide dirty clothes in the washer.
5. Take a deep breath!
6. Run a quick vacuum.
7. Turn on the lights.
8. Leave the house before showing!

Smile! You did it!

The first thing a buyer will see is the outside of the front of the house. That first few seconds will determine if they will consider buying or not! Make it shine. Keep the grass cut and yard well manicured and you'll be ahead of the game. The front door is where you greet the potential Buyer's. Make it the most inviting part of the house. Look at it objectively. Is it faded or worn? Is the weather striping loose? Consider repairing or replacing it.

Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs leave prospects in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from what's right with your home.

Ask home buyers what area or room of the home they consider most important, and chances are they'll say the kitchen. When prospective buyers look at your kitchen, they will pay particular attention to its cleanliness, layout, and storage capacity. A counter cluttered with appliances, piles of paper and other stuff that could be kept out of sight may give an appearance of a lack of counter space.

Expose your plants to only moderate temperatures--never below 35 degrees or above 95 degrees. Consider taking along only cuttings of your favorite houseplants--if they can be propagated that way--for convenience and to save space. Place in a plastic bag with moistened peat moss or in a wet paper towel.

If major appliances are being sold with the your home, make sure they are spotless, odor-free, and in good working condition. Polish chrome surfaces. Fix any leaky faucets, loose cabinet hardware, drawer handles, and outdated or inefficient light fixtures. Make more efficient use of drawers and cabinets with dividers and cutlery trays. Pre-packing unused appliances as well as pots and pans, etc., will create an illusion of space.

Clean your interior and exterior windows and screens. Repair cracked panes, torn screens, broken sashes and ropes or cords as well. When your home is being shown, open your curtains to let daylight in--especially if the view is noteworthy. Washing mirrors, laundering or drying clean curtains and drapes, can have a positive impact on a home's overall feel. And remember, the buyer will be making his/her decisions on how your home makes them feel.

Carpeting has a major impact on the look of a home. Vacuum thoroughly or have it steam cleaned. If it is badly worn, outdated or stained, consider having it replaced, if it fits your budget. Pull up any carpet that is outdated or worn. Check wood floors to see if they need to be refinished. Scrub and wax tile floors, and repair or replace cracked tiles.

These quick fixes may cost a little now, but will definitely help your home sell quickly for top dollar.

A well-manicured lawn and attractive garden will do a lot to enhance the curb appeal of your home. Remove all dead limbs and debris. Rake and sweep. Put away lawn equipment and arrange outdoor items neatly. If you have a fence, repair, repaint, or stain as necessary. First impressions are everything!

Buyers will pay close attention to the condition of your roof. Repatch or reshingle where necessary, and fix leaky, corroded downspouts and gutters. Inside, a watermarked ceiling is a sign to buyers that the roof has leaked--even if the damage has been repaired. Repainting the ceiling with an aluminum-based primer will ensure the stain does not bleed through.

A neat and clean entryway creates a positive first impression. A freshly painted door and trim with sturdy hardware add a welcome touch. Replace faded house numbers with new ones. Make sure the doorbell is working properly. Your drive and walkway also affect a buyer's perception. Wash them clean of all debris. Repair cracked or crumbled asphalt or cement and pull weeds from between the cracks. First impressions are very important.

Brighten your landscaping by planting extra flowers, or add containers filled with blooms near the front entrance.

Hanging baskets full of colour can help create that feel good, tranquil atmosphere that makes buyers open their wallets.

Take a good look at the paint on the outside of your house. Is it cracking, peeling or chipping? If you decide your home needs painting, choose colors that are appropriate for the style of your home and that blend in well with your neighborhood.

Remember, neutral is better. If you have trouble with colours, give my office a call, we'd be glad to help you choose.

Cleaning Grout: Mix a paste of scouring powder & hydrogen peroxide, apply with old toothbrush, let sit 20 min., wash with hot water and a scrub brush.

Porcelain Sink: Fill the sink with 2 to 3 inches of warm water, add detergent and 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach, let sit 15 minutes, then wash the entire sink with solution, rinse thoroughly with hot water.

Glass or Plastic Shower Stall Doors: Put a little lemon oil furniture polish on a soft clean cloth and rub the doors to clean, be careful not to spill any on tiles.

Spots that reappear after cleaning are actually a combination of the dissolved soil and the cleaning product that was worked into the base of the carpet during cleaning. The dirt 'wicks' back to the surface as the carpet dries.

To keep spots from resurfacing, lay several sheets of paper towel over the freshly cleaned section and place a heavy object, like a book, on top. Leave in place for a few hours or overnight. As the carpet dries, any residual stain and cleaner will be absorbed by the toweling.

Painting: When it comes to preparing a house for sale, painting gives you the best return for money spent. Which rooms should you paint? Any that have dirty or marked walls or any rooms that are currently painted dark colours. Keep it neutral - off-white, antique white or taupe is the best.

Carpeting: At the very least, all carpeting needs to be steamed cleaned. Any worn, stained or foul smelling carpet should be replaced. You may be tempted to give a "carpet allowance" and that may work. Just remember, most buyers are unable to see beyond.

Clutter: If an item is not necessary for your day-to-day life, box it up and store it or throw it out!

Doors & Windows: Check all for smooth operation. Replace any cracked window panes.

Open up in the Daytime
Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.

Here are "band-aid" fixes until permanent solutions are found.

Pipe Burst: Turn off water, some houses have a main water valve, use duct tape to tightly wrap around the burst pipe (expect the pipe to leak until permanently repaired), schedule a repair job.

Broken Window: If the glass is cracked, use tape to prevent cleaned. Any worn, stained or foul smelling carpet should be replaced. You may be tempted to give a "carpet allowance" and that may work. Just remember, most buyers are unable to see beyond.

Clutter: If an item is not necessary for your day-to-day life, box it up and store it or throw it out!

Doors & Windows: Check all

Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.

Sort through your furniture, lamps, artworks, rugs, pillows, and other odds and ends. Which things do you use and enjoy? Which items have been stored away indefinitely, or serve only to collect dust? Consider selling unused furnishings and accessories. The profit will help offset new decorating costs. This exercise will also de-clutter your living and storage areas and ultimately make your home more sellable.

Every room needs a focal point, something that draws you into the room. It could be an architectural feature, such as a fireplace, or a window with a dramatic view. You can even create a focal point: an unusual window treatment, an attractive furniture ensemble, or a striking display of art. Whatever the focal point, you'll want to accentuate it with your furniture arrangement. If you need help, give us a call. We have decorators we can recommend that will be glad to give you a consultation at a very reasonable price.