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After years of
hearing from successful
sellers that they didn't
have to do a thing to
sell, they now need to
understand how they can
stand out from their
competition. Here is a
handy list to help
sellers determine if
some features in their
home might need some
attention.
Test all door and
cabinet knobs. Replace
mismatched or
inexpensive hardware for
a quick update. Buyers
rarely can get beyond a
knob that comes off in
their hand as they
attempt to use a door.
Take the time to
paint walls, trim and
ceilings. Keep adjoining
rooms in one color
palette, which will make
your home appear larger.
Clean up spills from
messy painters. Hire
professionals to paint
mullions on windows and
staircase spindles.
Slipcover mismatched
furniture in a room that
requires visual
unification.
Discover ways to
organize day-to-day room
needs. Substantial
wicker baskets or square
stainless steel or brass
containers can organize
magazines, remote
controls and toys. Books
provide a good look, but
vary them by laying some
down and standing some
up.
Wallpaper is
considered
fill-in-the-blank
decorating. No two
people have the same
taste in this instant
decorator wannabee. If
it's more than three
years old, take it down
and paint in a neutral
color. And wallpaper
borders are out.
Simple furniture
rearrangement can bring
new life to a tired
space. Float sofas and
coffee tables away from
walls for a designer
look. Use area rugs to
anchor furniture
groupings on bare tile
and wood floors.
Make sure there is
balanced lighting in
every room for dusk and
evening showings.
Dimmers help set the
right tone.
Polish and wax
hardwood floors to
brighten and blend an
old finish.
Clean every surface
until it shimmers and
shines. Clean can seal a
deal. Don't forget the
windows.
Purchase the best
quality carpet pad which
can make any new
carpeting "cushy," and
home buyers love
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cushy. Stay away from
shag styles; buyers know
it won't be around long
in style cycles.
Streamline window
fashions. Heavy drapes
are in the minority.
Think "let the light
shine in" when placing
blinds and shades.
Freshen-up closets
with closet organizers
to maximize storage
space and paint a
neutral, washable color.
Make sure buyers can see
the back of all closets
and cupboards. Lighting
is an often overlooked
feature in closets, but
buyers will always turn
on lights when viewing a
closet, big or small.
Don't forget the
basement; dark, dirty
and musty basements are
a turn-off to buyers.
Add extra lighting,
paint the floor and
vacuum out all the
cobwebs. Organize
storage areas and take
the time to clean the
washing machine and
dryer.
Take a good look
from the street or road
at the front of your
home. Look for shrubs
that are overgrown or
dead and remove and
replace them with shrubs
or plants that are to
scaled to your home.
Small inexpensive bushes
send the wrong message.
Limit yard ornaments
to a favored few. Excess
ornaments can make yards
look busy and buyers
might want them included
in a purchase contract.
Paint and refresh
yard lights, flagpoles,
mailboxes, window boxes,
fences and trellis.
Don't forget the swing
set or play equipment.
Replace broken
bricks on terraces,
cracked concrete patios
and steps.
Restore screens on
porches and lanai's.
Dirty, rusty and ripped
screens limit
functionality to
homebuyers.
Don't leave pets
unattended for property
showings, especially if
you think they could be
aggressive or
territorial around
strangers.
Have carpets and
area rugs cleaned before
showing your home to
potential buyers.
A barking dog or
overly-friendly cats can
kill a showing. Be
pro-active and take your
pets off site for
showings. Hire a dog
walker to occupy pets if
you can't be home.
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