A personal note from Nick:  Let's face it... most people don't live this way!  Many (if not most) of these tips may appear overstated or unrealistic to you and your lifestyle.  However, your home has now become a product offered for sale.  As such, we want to make the product appealing to the majority of Buyers.  The closer you can get your home to the "ideal" the more your goals of a quick sale at a good price will be met.  I'll be providing you with feedback from the agents who show your home.  Please don't be offended.  Let's work together to reach your goals!  Hang in there.  Below are items that you can do to help your home show well.

Pricing

Probably the single most important thing you can do to make your home sell is to price it right.  Nick will suggest a reasonable price range based on recent SOLD properties similar to your home, but only you, the Seller, set the price!

If we don't have Showings in the first two weeks on the market, a price reduction may be in order.

Maximize Your Space

Paint rooms light neutral color
Remove unnecessary pieces of furniture
Clean out coat closet - put items in storage unit
Clean out garage
Clean out attic
Rent a storage unit for extra items - have a moving sale
Remove small pictures from the walls
Remove items from countertops
Put in higher wattage light bulbs
Remove some toys to storage unit
Take extra leaf out of dining room table
Check walk flow to make sure potential buyers don't have to walk around furniture
Your home will be compared to Model Homes that are vacant and always clean and open!

Buyer's First Impressions

Repaint exterior, if needed (may need trim only)
Pressure wash the home and driveway
Sweep the front porch
Keep newspapers and flyers picked up
Hang a simple grapevine wreath on the front door
Replace siding, as needed
Replace missing shingles, as needed
Replace gutters, as needed
Clean gutters
Clean windows until they shine - scrape, if necessary
Clean shutters
Replace shutters, as needed
Use quick greening fertilizer on lawn - ammonium sulfate, urea, or ammonium nitrate
Edge the lawn
Remove children's toys and bikes
Seal cracks in driveway and walkway
Remove leaves/pine needles from lawn and roof
Your home's "Curb Appeal" (or first impression from the street as you approach the home) will be the thing that entices the potential buyer to take a look inside.

Kitchen

Clean the kitchen from top to bottom
Clean the oven
Clean the refrigerator
Remove all refrigerator magnets and items from the front of the refrigerator
Put away most small appliances
Put away items off countertops
Clean the inside of the dishwasher - try running it with the soap dishes filled with powdered instant lemonade (like Countrytime).  The citric acid works wonders!
Clean out drawers to eliminate fears of too little space
Paint the kitchen a neutral color
Light wood is best for kitchen cabinets - paint or update
Change cabinet hardware or clean very well
Remove pet dishes, toys, and litter boxes from kitchen
Have appliances refinished (harvest gold, brown, and avocado green are currently unpopular colors. Paint with white or ivory)
Remove window treatments in kitchen. Make it sunny!
If the laundry room is off the kitchen, make sure its uncluttered,. neat, and clean.

Entrance to Home

Replace carpet throughout the home with neutral color (or offer a price allowance for carpet replacement)
Replace front door if necessary
Paint front door if necessary
Add brass kick plate to front door
Install new mailbox and post
Create distinct entry with divider, plants, hallway hutch
New floor mat at entry
Clean cobwebs from the doorway
Eliminate odors - pets, smoking, kitchen, basement (There is a fantastic product called Simple Solution which is available at pet stores such as Petsmart.  Eliminates all types of organic odors!)

Bathrooms

Clean ceramic tile and grout
Repair loose or cracked tile
Downplay dated ceramic tile colors with white towels and window treatments
Buy a new shower curtain - avoid patterns
Shine chrome fixtures - stiff brush with white vinegar works great
Remove stains from sink
Replace rusted sinks
Repair leaky faucets
Remove personal toiletries on display
Glue down wallpaper where it is loose or curling
Use fancy basket for books and magazines
Replace toilet seats
Repair or replace exhaust fan
Install GFCI outlet

Living Room
(Applies to Entire Home)

Put away collections (figurines and fragile items)
Store any political or religious mementos, as well as any business or sports awards (you wan the potential buyer to think of the home as theirs, and they may not have the same interests that you do)
No animal (fur) rugs
No family photos
Silence any squeaky floors
Use half curtains to disguise bad views
Remove any crowded furniture - open the rooms up!

Dining Room

Put new WHITE tablecloth on the table
Use a centerpiece on the table
Place fresh-cut flowers in a vase on the table
Light, then blow out candles
Clean chandelier bulbs and globe (dust regularly) - Globes may be run through the dishwasher.
Remove valuables from sight

Bedrooms

New bedspread, if needed
Make the beds every day
Keep headboards clear and free from clutter
Be sure children's toys are put away
Remove any bulky furniture, make rooms appear large
Remove any dark or outdated wallpaper.
Paint the walls with a light, neutral color
Clean out closets - Make them appear as if there is plenty of room to spare
Install closet organizer and keep clothing neat
Organize shoes on shoe racks
Don't store valuables in sight - place jewelry in drawers or store away from the home

Landscaping

Trim all hedges and shrubs - strive for neat appearance
Add mulch to flowerbeds and shrubs
Repair fence
Plant flowers or add pots/containers of bright flowers
Clean pool as needed
Provide a fact sheet on swimming pool - show the cost and time involved in upkeep. Many people worry that a pool is too expensive and time consuming.
Remove:
   Old rusted swing set
   Old rusted basketball goals
   Old rusted lawn furniture
   Old rusted grill
   Dead trees or shrubs
   Old flowers from past season
   Leaves, dead branches, weeds, and debris
   Garbage cans - store neatly in the garage

Garage/Basement

Remove stains from garage floor
Make basement look functional and well-organized
Clean basement windows
Wipe down the furnace and water heater with a damp sponge
Keep utility room uncluttered
Move any extra boxes and unnecessary items to your storage unit
Spray with Simple Solution to give a fresh smell

Pets

It's recommended that pets be kenneled during the time your home is on the market.  If that isn't possible, please let Nick know the names and location (backyard, dog run, etc.) of the pets.  If you have a pet you don't want let out of the home (the car?), please be sure to let Nick know so he can alert other agents to be careful!

See note under Entrance to Home for dealing with pet odors (Simple Solution).  A neutral smell is important.

General Hints and Tips

Please don't be home for Showings.  The Buyer will spend more time looking if the Seller is not there.  Go to the neighbor's house.  Walk the dog.  Go to another part of the home while the prospective buyers are in another section of the home.  The goal is to have the potential Buyer think of the home as his or hers.
Open all curtains, drapes, and blinds during the day.
For evening Showings, turn on all the lights before you leave.
If anything is broken, you must disclose the issue. Even easier... have it fixed!
Sprinkle a few drops of vanilla on a warm stove burner to create a pleasing smell in the home. Remember to turn the burner off!  Alternatively, you can warm a pan of water with a few drops of vanilla in the oven.
Bake bread or bake cookies to fill the house with a pleasant smell.
Run the vacuum cleaner every morning before you leave the house.
After your shower, dry the stall and tub with a towel.
Please refrain from smoking in the home.  Remove all ashtrays.  Remove strong cooking odors.  See note under Entrance to Home for help with odors (Simple Solution).  A neutral smell is important.
Let Nick know if you run low on brochures or business cards.
Let Nick know if any doors are left unlocked or windows are left open by agents showing the home.
Once in a great while you may meet an agent you don't feel comfortable with.  Once that agent's showing is over, Nick will be happy to come change the combination on the lockbox.  We want you to feel comfortable!

PLEASE CALL NICK WITH ANY QUESTIONS: (301) 624-5106