When showing your property, you only get one chance to make a good impression.

Here are some suggestions to increase the desirability of your property to potential

buyers, and help you sell at the best price, in the least amount of time.

 Curb Appeal Is Essential - A buyer’s first impression is formed by viewing the outside of your property.

Trim plants and trees, weed your front back and side yards, use leaf blowers to remove leaves, pods,

plant debris. Inspect the exterior of your property, including shutters and windows. Steel or aluminum

siding should be clean. If the house needs painting, buyers will notice, and may consider it a major

objection to purchasing your property.

 Pay close attention to the front door – it should sparkle. Polish the doorknob, clean the glass and

replace worn screens.

 Neatness Counts – A sparkling clean home greatly enhances its appeal to buyers. Scrub each room

from top to bottom covering every nook and cranny. The entryway, kitchen and bathrooms are key

areas, and should be given special attention. Shampoo the carpeting if it hasn’t been done recently.

If your carpet is old or matted it will be a detriment to selling the property. Consider replacing it or

removing it if there is hardwood underneath.

 Eliminate Clutter – Closets, cupboards and other storage areas should be neat and uncluttered. Box

everything you do not use regularly and donate it, sell it, throw it away or store it. Look at each room

in the house with “less is best” as your objective. Remove unneeded furniture to make each room

appear more spacious. Kitchen counter-tops should be clear of everything except what you use daily.

 If it’s Broken, Fix it – Repairs such as loose door knob, broken dishwasher, dripping faucet and

squeaky or sticking doors all detract from a property’s value. An afternoon spent making needed

repairs now can eliminate buyers’ objections later. Hire a professional, if needed.

 Small Additions Make a Big Impression – With minimal expense, you can improve the appearance

of any room. Consider replacing worn area rugs and throw pillows. New towels can freshen a tired

kitchen or bath. Flowers add warmth and charm to any location. Identify the things you can do to make

areas more pleasing to a buyer.

 It’s a Team Effort – Enlist the help of all household members to get the house ready – and keep it

ready – for prospective buyers. A few minutes spent tidying up each morning can make the difference

for a showing in the afternoon!