SELLERS TOP 10 CHECKLIST

The Arati Hammond Real Estate team has created this list of helpful hints to prepare your home for the real estate market so we can sell your home for maximum value.  Please take advantage of these staging tips and contact me when you are ready to list your home.

1. First Impressions Last

Buyers want to inspect your house and neighborhood for the things that are important to them.  Buyers always overestimate the cost of painting and repairs.  It is always preferable that you prepare your home to look its best resulting in a faster sale at a higher price.  Leave your house and trust your professional realtor to show and sell it for you.

2. The Front View Greets the Buyer

Make sure it is inviting.  Keep your lawn well manicured and your gutters cleaned.  Power washing the house, sidewalks, decks and driveways will greatly improve curb appeal.  A new coat of paint on the front door and porch rails will give your entrance a fresh look.

3.  Dust & Dirt Reduce Appeal

Inspect for cobwebs in the corners, dusty ceiling fans, dirty baseboards and carpets.  A small investment in time and good cleaning will make your home look its best and give the greatest return.

4.  Make Rooms Look Larger

Remove excess furniture, pictures and posters.  Neat, orderly rooms and closets will make rooms look larger.

5.  Kitchens and Baths Sell Homes

Check and repair caulking around tubs, showers, sinks and countertops.  Remove as much from countertops as possible and place remainder neatly on a tray or in a basket.  Make these rooms sparkling clean.

6. Let the Sunshine In

Open blinds, shades, and curtains to show how cheerful your home is.  Turn on every light in the house.  Make sure light fixtures are clean.  When possible, wash windows and remove screens ñ this can increase light by 50%.

7.  Display the Full Value of Your Storage Space

Remove all unnecessary articles from your closets.  Perhaps now is the time to start packing for your move.  Neatly stacked boxes look much better than cluttered shelves and floors.

8.  Pay Attention to Details

Loose knobs, sticking floors, dirty air return filters, dirty ovens, dirty tile grout, loose wallpaper seams and other minor flaws detract from your homeís value.

9.  Soft Music and Sweet Aromas are Inviting

Have the intercom or stereo tuned to a station of soft background music.  Scented candles and potpourri give the home a pleasant aroma.

10.  Pets Underfoot?

Many buyers are very pet sensitive.  Keeping them out of the way – preferably out of the house is best.  Pay special attention to pet odors.  Removal of pets, beds, bowls, and toys will reduce pet odor and buyer rejection.