• How much should you spend
• Exterior and curb appeal
• Preparing the interior

How much should you spend?
In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it.  Use the need for a new roof as a negotiating point. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Your REALTOR*, who is familiar with buyer's expectations in your neighborhood, can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.

Maximizing exterior and curb appeal
Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal. Tips to enhance your home's exterior and curb appeal:

• Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.
• Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.
• Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.
• Clean and align gutters.
• Add a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance.
• Clean out the garage. but keep the garage door closed.
• Store RV's or old , beat up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door, polish your doorknob & house numbers.
• Buy a new doormat.

Maximizing Interior Appeal
Enhance your home's interior by:

            Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.

            Cleaning the cooktop and oven.  Buyers  always look inside the oven and a dirty oven turns them off!

            Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.  Keep beds made & kitchen and baths clean at all times. The buyer may need to see it fast and you will always be prepared for quick showings.

            Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen  & bath counters and closets, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.

            If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and vinyl floors.

            Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic.

            Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint and tiles.

              Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating, cooling and alarm systems.

            Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathrooms, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.

            Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.

            Remove personal effects like pictures on bookshelves and mantle and magnets on the refrigerator. These items distract buyers and keep them from picturing themselves in your house.


Call us if you are interested in learning the value of your home. We will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis for you at no charge.