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Fix up---Spruce up, Spit, Polish and Shine

Everything on the to-do list needs to get done. If you want top dollar and the quickest sale it's a must to get all the little and big things on your list done.

Make the Most of that First Impression-Exterior or your home:
A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly scrubbed – front door. If it's autumn, rake the leaves. If it's winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.

• Exterior paint should be in good condition (no peeling, fading) on house, garage, gutters, outbuildings, decks, fences and gates. The front door should be in good condition.
• Repair driveway and walkway cracks or uneven surfaces. Fill in missing mortar between bricks or stones.
• Doors and gates in working condition, latch and lock properly.
• Fix cracked windows and torn screens. Polish doorknobs, clean ironwork, repair ornamentation (shutters, spindles, columns, etc), clean windows and screens.
• Doorbell and all exterior lights in good working order.
• Remove debris. Neatly store trash cans, toys and garden equipment.
• Lawn should be well cut and neatly trimmed. Repair dead grass or fill in holes. Trim trees, removing dead branches. Flower beds weeded and freshly planted.
• Clean pool, spa, fountains, waterfalls.
• Clean up children's and animal's toys and debris.
• Improve the visual appeal and emotional comfort by staging your patio furniture in an attractive way. Place containers of flowers to add color.

Make the Most of that First Impression-Interior or your home:

Interior dirt and clutter can divert a potential buyer's attention from the fine points your home has to offer. Our most common suggestion to sellers is to remove unnecessary items and furniture to make a home feel more spacious. Pack it up - you're moving! Many sellers get a storage unit (or two) to facilitate the removal of items from the home, garage and outbuildings. Here are some helpful tips for the inside of your home:

• Walls and woodwork clean. Wallpaper problem areas repaired.
• Windows, curtains, drapes, blinds, ceiling fans and shutters should be clean and operational.
• Flooring should be clean. Remove excess area rugs (potential trip hazard).
• Clean and uncluttered closets, boxing and removing items where possible.
• Doors and windows operate, lock and latch properly. Polish doorknobs.
• Smoke detectors installed and in operating condition.
• Light fixtures and bulbs in working condition. Adequate lighting is important.
• Stair banisters tightened and steps free of objects.
• Bathrooms clean, uncluttered. Tub and shower caulking repaired. Put away excess toiletries.
• Remove prescription drugs and valuable cosmetics. Display fresh towels.
• Kitchen clean including stove and oven. Remove items from countertops.
• Remove small objects that may be accidentally picked up by children.
• Remove collectibles and excess family pictures. Put away all jewelry, valuables (perhaps remove to safe location such as safe deposit box).
• Organize closets, shelves and drawers to display spaciousness.
• Repair leaking plumbing fixtures.
• Eliminate household odors (especially pet odors). Keep trashcans out of sight, clear of excess trash. Make sure trashcans are odor free. Avoid cooking foods with a strong order prior to a showing.
• Basement, attic and garage should be clean and organized.
• Clean fireplace ashes. Neatly stack firewood.
• Remove excess furniture to make a room more spacious and ease the flow of traffic.

Check Faucets and Bulbs
Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from what's right with your home.

Don't Shut Out a Sale
If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect's mind. Don't try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.

Think Safety
Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.

Make Room for Space
Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They're looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.

Consider Your Closets
The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now's the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.

Make Your Bathroom Sparkle
Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.

Create Dream Bedrooms
Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.

Open up in the Daytime
Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.

Lighten up at Night
Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside - when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.

Avoid Flocks of People
Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they're likely to hurry through. If you can't leave for the showing keep the company present to a minimum.

Watch Your Pets
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when showing your home. Some individuals are allergic or uncomfortable around animals and pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.

Think Volume
Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the stereo or TV.

Don't Turn Your Home into a Second-Hand Store
When prospects come to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.

Defer to Experience
When prospects want to talk price, terms, or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert - your RE/MAX Sales Associate.