How Preparing Your House Pays Off

The Basics – Home—spotless. Lawn—mowed. Clutter—removed. Carpets—cleaned. Odors—gone

Living Room – Open up the living room by moving furniture and removing unnecessary items.

Kitchen – Clear counters, refrigerator art and magnets. Add a plant or fresh flowers. Leave small appliances if used daily.

Bedrooms – De-personalize by removing photos, posters and personal items to make buyers feel comfortable.

Bathrooms – Think “hotel.” Add fresh new towels and remove all personal items—no toothbrushes!

Storage – Organize closets, laundry room, mudroom and storage areas.

Repair – Patch holes and paint walls and ceilings where needed. Replace broken tiles, re-caulk sinks and tubs.

Colors – Tone down brightly painted rooms. Not all buyers appreciate hot pink, purple or red.

Brighten – Replace low-watt light bulbs with brighter ones. Clean windows. Open curtains.

Pets – Put away toys, clean litter boxes, deodorize carpets. Take pets with you when house is shown.

Outside – Think curb appeal! Paint the front door. Pressure wash the driveway, sidewalks, decks and patio. Add a few shrubs, flowers and fresh mulch. Put away garden tools, hoses, toys and bikes. Remove dead or tired plants.

Garage – Remove as many extras as possible. Tools, lawn equipment and bikes are o.k. Leave room for at least one car. Make it look spacious!