Not everyone shares your taste or your vision! Stage your home to appeal to the largest number of potential buyers.

Curb Appeal. This is the first impression that prospective buyers will have of your house. If your house isn't inviting from the outside, it doesn't matter if it's a palace inside! Few prospective buyers will look past the outside and come on in. . When selling your home, the yard should be neat and tidy and in keeping with the other homes in the area. A few things you can do to enhance the curb appeal while you are trying to sell your home are:

• Look at the big picture - ask a friend or family member — or REALTOR® — to give you their "snapshot" impression. Don't take it personally! Remember, it's sometimes easier for others to see things you don't notice anymore. Make sure the yard is mowed and any patches re-sodded.
• Doors and Windows - get a new doorknob, paint the front door and wash the windows! For less than $50 you can give your house an instant facelift.
• Spruce up landscping with flowers or plants - Adding a touch of accent color can make a world of difference. Line the driveway or walkway or put colorful plants under front windows.
• Pressure wash the exterior and the driveway - This will give it a quick cleaning and show potential buyers that you take care of your house.
• Mulch - A little bit of mulch around plants goes a long way to give the look of a manicured yard

Necessary Repairs. Cosmetic repairs (i.e. a quick coat of paint, a new door, new carpet, etc.) can immediately update a home. Use a light, neutral paint to make rooms appear larger and more appealing. When it comes to more significant repairs, it is important to look at time frames as well as the return on your investment. In some cases, it makes sense to sell your home "As Is" in it's present condition with the price adjusted for necessary repairs or credited back to the buyer for repairs post-closing. In other cases, it may make sense to invest in the repairs. This is a one area that you should discuss with your agent before spending money. We have personally renovated dozens of properties and have extensive experience in determining necessary repairs.

Keep It Clean and Uncluttered. While your house is for sale, keep it clean at all times. You never know when someone will be ready to see your home in a moment's notice. Make sure the house is free of any pet odors. And if you have small children, keep toys tidy and out of the way. It's also a good idea to remove family photos, knick-knacks and trinkets, and "personal" stuff. Remember, buying a house is purely emotional and prospective buyers need to see your home as theirs! A good rule of thumb is to pack away anythng that's not necessary for you to live on a daily basis.

Staging. You can hire a professional to stage your house, but often times that's an unnecessary expense. You can do little things like keep fresh flowers out all the time, baking cookies or bread before an open house, etc. If the home is vacant, you might consider a professional staging service.

Disclosures & Inspections. These legal disclosures are important and can protect you from future lawsuits. The correct paperwork is one of the big benefits of using a licensed agent. We know what is required by law and what we can do to protect you from potential lawsuits*. As a seller, make sure that you use all of the necessary disclosure documents including the Sellers Disclosure, Mold Addendum, Lead Based Paint Addendum, to name a few.

Showing Your Home. This is another benefit to using a real estate agent. It's a good idea to leave the property while a real estate agent is showing your home. This invites potential buyers to discuss positives and negatives without worrying about offending the seller. It also allows them to look at the details that are imporant to them. Many times, if the homeowner is there, potential buyers are reluctant to open cabinets, peek in closets, etc. Your agent is experienced in dealing with others on your behalf and has a fiduciary duty to represent your interests in the best possible way; let them do the talking. This way, you don’t accidentally volunteer information that your agent could use more strategically during negotiations.

*We are not attorneys and recommend that you seek professional legal advice if necessary.

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