First impressions count with buyers. You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression, so a small investment in time and
money can give your house the advantage over competing homes in your neighborhood when it comes time for your sales representative to show it to a prospective buyer.
Here are some suggestions for preparing your home for showing.
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| Well Maintained |
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Repair leaky taps and toilets |
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Clean furnace and humidifier |
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Tighten door knobs, 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 seals around tub and basin |
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Replace burned out light bulbs |
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Touch up chipped paint |
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Oil squeaking doors |
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| Create A Buying Mood |
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Arrange to be absent during the showing |
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Turn on all lights |
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Turn on air conditioning |
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Light fireplace |
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Open drapes in the daytime |
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Play quiet background music |
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| Cleanliness |
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Clean and freshen bathrooms |
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Clean refrigerator and stove |
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Clean washer, dryer, and laundry tubs |
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Clean furnace exterior |
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Clean carpets |
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| Lots Of Space |
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Clear halls and stairs of clutter |
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Store surplus furniture |
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Clear kitchen counters and stove |
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Make closets neat and tidy |
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| When The Door Opens |
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Clean and tidy porch and foyer |
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Does the doorbell work? |
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Is the door hardware in good shape? |
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Is the air fresh? |
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Touch up paint |
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| Curb Appeal |
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Cut lawns |
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Trim hedges and shrubs |
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Weed and edge garden |
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Pick up litter |
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Clear drive and walkway of snow and leaves |
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Repair soffits and eaves troughs |
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| Valuables |
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Take jewelry and valuables with you during the open house or lock them safely away |
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Take precautions to ensure property (such as objects of art, vases, figurines, mementos) are safely situated out of reach or locked away |
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