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Provided by

William Raveis Real Estate and Homes Services

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(Insert Your Name

Your Real Estate Consultant

Staging your home for sale!

First impressions are important! The following suggestions will help market your home more effectively:

Cultivate Curb Charisma

Because they need to make a fast decision, some of the best buyers are the most impatient. A buyer’s first impression, of course, begins with the outside of property. If the view of your property from the street turns them off, they might not even stop. Shape up your front lawn and shrubbery.

It is important for the yard to look appealing and well cared for. When the work is done, it looks easy to maintain, when it is undone, it seems formidable.

Lawns should be mowed, edged, hedges cut, trees trimmed, weeds eliminated. If possible, bare ground should be covered by gravel or bark; at the very least it should be raked and kept moist.

Lawns that have patches of dead grass can be greatly improved in appearance by buying a few square feet of sod from the local nursery. It’s surprisingly cheap, and anyone can successfully install it. This is all it takes: Notch out the old with a spade or trowel, cut the new sod to fit, and stomp it into place. What a difference it makes!

Take a Critical Look at the front of your home

If it’s weathered looking, or if anything there is anything that needs repair, eliminate these negatives. Don’t turn your buyers off before the inside can turn them on. A quick paint job on the front mailbox or a pot or two of blooming plants by the front door can brighten up the whole exterior.

You Can Sell Pride of Ownership Faster and for a Lot More Money

It’s called cleanliness, and cleanliness gets more buyers than used dirt. Put sparkle into your bathrooms and kitchen and you’ll take lots more silver out!

You Can’t Find a Better Investment

When you’re selling a house a few cans of paint and putty to brighten up its interior will be worth the time and effort.

Drips Do Worse Than Run Up your Water Bill

They make possible buyers worry about your house’s entire plumbing system. Fix these little problems before they cost you a sale.

Squeaking Doors and Creaking Floors

Torn or missing screens, cracked glass, and anything that needs repair dampen the house hunter’s enthusiasm. Many of them believe there’ll always be ten problems they haven’t noticed for every one they do see.

De-clutter

This is a great time to weed out your clothing and linen closets of items you don’t use. You can make closets seem roomier by pre-packing your out of season garments. Dispose of unneeded items or rent a mini-storage room. Also, remove as many items as you can. Your home’s storage space can’t look adequate to a buyer if you’ve got it jam-packed.

Organize the Basement, Sheds and the Garage

When all of your tools and equipment are clean and well organized, that sends a clear message to the buyer on how you take care of your property. Lawn mowers should be cleaned of grass and dirt, hoses should be stored appropriately, rakes and other garden equipment should be hung on hooks. The garage should look like a garage and not a catch all for junk. Sports equipment should also be stored properly, not strewn all over the basement or garage.

Drapes and Window Coverings

Consider each window and room separately. Is the view pleasant, or do you see the neighbor’s trash cans? Are the window frames attractive when exposed? Are the drapes themselves more striking when opened or closed? Does the room show better by sunlight or lamplight? When uncertain, opt for lamplight. Buyers want to see, and light encourages them.

What you’re doing here is showing your home to its best advantage, not concealing defects. The buyer can open the drapes and see the trash cans, but they are still reassured that there are drapes to hide this from their own guests. You are working here on effect more than substance, on emotion more than fact. Keep this in mind as you set the stage for showings.

A Kitchen is the Most Important Room in the House for Many People

Be sure that counters are clear of clutter, dirty dishes don’t exist and that the sink sparkles. Try to create an inviting aroma of fresh apple pie or cookies baking in the oven. Heat some sugar and add cinnamon and vanilla in a heat resistant pan or bowl on the stovetop burner or in your oven.

Watering

Little drops all over the plants and lawn give a delightful, fresh feeling in summer. We suggest sellers time their sprinkling so that the dewy effect remains when the buyers are likely to appear. Hosing down the walks also add sparkly, but leaving hoses strung around, and gardening tools lying about looks tacky and spoils the dream by reminding house hunters of chores instead of the good life.

Harmonize the Elements

FM radio or CD easy listening music softly in the background with the TV off and all lights on, day or night creates a welcoming environment. During the day open the drapes.

Lighting: Switch on every lamp and light in the entire house every time you prepare for a showing or when you are leaving the house.

Music, maestro: What’s the mood of the house? Select what enhances that mood. Avoid loud music. Remember to play soft music or something current, but not too loud.

You’re selling a lifestyle along with walls and floors, so harmonize all of the elements.

Turn up the Shelter

If it’s hot, cool it. If it’s cold, light a crackling fire in the fireplace or make sure the thermostat is set at a warm comfortable setting. A fire in the fireplace or a comfortable warm house will make your buyers feel warmly welcomed.

Give your Dogs and Cats a Treat

While your house is being shown, why not take your favorite pet for a walk? Most pets are naturally protective of their homes and can be frightening to some buyers. They need a break once in awhile also and they will be happier too! Many people are acutely uncomfortable around some animals, or allergic to them, and simply can’t think, “buy” when their minds are on “goodbye”.

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