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First
impressions are lasting:

Make sure the front of your house is clean and inviting, keep your
lawn and hedges trimmed and manicured. Remove leaves and debris
from walks. Make sure that your pool is clean. A small
investment in painting will make your home look fresh and return
more in the selling price.
Pay
attention to detail:
Minor flaws will detract from your home's value.
Fix loose knobs, torn screens, dripping faucets, clogged drains. Pay special
attention to odors from pets or cooking.
Bright,
clean, charming:
Make sure your bathrooms sparkle, clean out messy
closets, box up things neatly in the attic or basement. Create a warm,
friendly atmosphere with fresh flowers, lots of light, a fire
in the
fireplace in winter, open windows in summer.
Three's a
crowd:
Avoid being present during a showing; the prospect will feel like
an intruder and hurry through. Leave and take your pets with you. If you
can't leave, step outside of the house and don't force conversation. If the
agent has a question, he /she will ask you.
Avoid
looking cluttered:
While your knick-knacks may have given your home the
personal touches that you have enjoyed, they may make it difficult for some
buyers to envision the house as their own. Put as much of it away as you
can. This will also give your home a more spacious look and feel.
Counters and
Cabinets:
A very important feature to most house hunters is plenty of
counter and cabinet space. Clean off counters, and make sure your cabinets
do not look like they are busting at the seams. |