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"How
Should I Prepare My Home For A Showing?"
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impressions count with buyers. In
today's age of "consumerism" every buyer is comparison
shopping. A small
investment in time and money can give your house a solid advantage
over competing properties. It's
seldom a matter of what it "cost you," rather it's more
important what it "pays you."
So, by "paying" attention to detail now, you can
enhance the perceived value of your property.
Here are some suggestions for preparing your house to show
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Create A Buying Mood
- Arrange to be absent during the showings
- Turn on air conditioning or heating
- Open drapes in the daytime
- Light the fireplace
- Keep pets out of the way and out of the house during showings
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Well-Maintained
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Repair leaky taps on toilets
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Tighten door knobs and cupboard latches
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Repair cracked plaster
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Touch-up chipped paint
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Clean and repair windows
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Repair seal around tub/basin
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Replace burned out lights
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Oil squeaking doors
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Paint necessary halls/rooms
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Turn on all the lights
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Clean furnace and air filters
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Exterior Appearance
- Cut lawns
- Trim hedges and shrubs
- Weed and edge gardens
- Pick up litter
- Clear drive and walkway (snow, leaves, etc.)
- Make exterior repairs
- Touch up paint
- Add fresh mulch
- Lots of Space
- Clear halls/stairs of clutter
- Store surplus furniture
- Clear kitchen counters/stove
- Clear seasonal closets of clothing or other clutter
- Arrange bedrooms neatly
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Cleanliness
- Clean and freshen bathroom
- Clean refrigerator and stove
- Clean around furnace vents
- Clean washer and dryer
- Make certain kitchen looks and smells clean
- At The Front Door
- Clean porch and foyer
- Does the doorbell work?
- Paint the front door
- Make sure door hardware is clean and works, including locks
and keys
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Finally
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Review your efforts and walk through your entire
house and yard as though you were a potential buyer seeing your
property for the first time. Do
not discuss price, terms or other factors with prospective buyers.
Your agent is trained and prepared to handle this for you.
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Good Job!
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Remember, you don't get a second chance to make a good impression.
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