• Perk up rooms with fresh paint.  A modest investment in time & money can possibly add dollars to your final selling price.  Sometimes just a touch-up will do. Choose light, neutral colors for greatest appeal.
• Clean up clutter for appearance & safety’s sake.  Pay special attention to stairways, halls and children’s rooms.
• Go on a kitchen campaign and keep it especially clean.  The sink should always be clean & free of dirty dishes. Countertops appear more spacious when clean and uncluttered.  Do the counters have stains from a hot pot or is it chipped?  Does it need replacing?  If so, is it worth your while to do it before the house goes on the market?
• Freshly mopped floors and baseboards can help “show off” your kitchen area.  Does your kitchen floor show a lot of worn areas?  Will professional cleaning bring back the shine?  Buyers are looking for more maintenance free homes and generally pay a higher price for those that are “move-in” condition.

               

• Eliminate odors by preventing them in the first place.  Try to avoid cooking with cabbage,  onions and garlic.  Many people associate strong, spicy odors with un-cleanliness.  Freshen the entire kitchen by sending a lemon through the garbage disposal.  Sweeten the refrigerator with a box of baking soda.
• Make bathrooms sparkle by cleaning tile & porcelain.  Commercial cleaners or vinegar will   remove unsightly hard water stains.  Replace any loose caulking or grout. While you’re at it, fix any dripping   faucets.
• Pantries & closets should be organized to make them appear larger.  It may be to your benefit to clean, pack & store unneeded items, such as seasonal clothing.  This will give a neat,  uncluttered look.
• If your kitchen cabinets are wood grain, would a coat of polish help bring out the shine, or do they need refinishing?
• Are all of your appliances in good working order - is the oven clean?  Is the refrigerator cluttered with notes, pictures and schoolwork?
• Wash all windows. Keep curtains and drapes crisp and clean.  Vacuum blinds and wash window sills.
• If there are any light fixtures that you would like to take with you, you may want to replace them before marketing your home.
• Roll out the welcome mat with a rough, textured door mat.  It will keep your floors & carpets cleaner during showings.  And it says you care about your home.
• Do your hardwood floors need to be refinished?  A coat of paste wax would give them that added luster and put them into move-in condition.
• Take a look at your carpets, do they have that worn look?  Would it be worth your time to investigate the cost of having them cleaned?  Or if you have hardwood floors, would your home look better if the carpets were removed and the floors exposed?
• Furniture - if there is too much, a room looks cluttered and small.
• Clean the fireplace and make a cozy, crackling fire.  Or dress it up with green plants or dried flowers.
• Add special accents that make your home appear comfortable and inviting.  An open cook book on the counter, cut flowers in a vase, cookies or bread baking in the oven.  Don’t overdo it, but think about things you have seen in attractive model homes that might subconsciously influence potential buyers.

Extra Efforts

• Empty out the attic to display the full value of this much appreciated but often neglected storage space.
• Clean and brighten the basement with light paint and large wattage bulbs. Drain sediment from your water heater to eliminate any rusty water flowing from hot water taps. Clear out cobwebs.
• Treat pets to a stroll while your house is being shown.  Many people are afraid of or allergic to animals.  By removing them, buyers won’t feel hurried or nervous.
• Light classical music sets the stage for a serene, tranquil showing.  Potential buyers can look at your home quietly and without distraction.
• Don’t over spray—subtle smelling products are best.