You may not be able to finish the yard or remodel the kitchen, but you can improve the market value of your property.

It is important to attract as many qualified buyers to your property as possible. In preparing the home for sale it is important to look at it through the "buyer's eyes". People buy what they see. Make sure your property looks as appealing and uncluttered as the home you would like to buy.

OUTSIDE

• Mow the lawn, trim trees and shrubs away from the house. You can't sell a home if you can't see it. Rake leaves, pull weeds, and dispose of dead plants, flowers, and shrubs
• Put away tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building materials neatly in the garage
• Check for roof shingles, shutters, gutters, windows, and siding in need of repair
• Clean windows and front door
• Paint window trim and front door if needed
• Seal or resurface driveway if needed
• Clear patios and decks of flower pots, extra plants and barbecue supplies
• Dress up the front yard with new sod, plants, flowers, and tanbark
• Clear patios and decks of flower pots, extra plants and barbecue supplies
• Dress up the front yard with new sod, plants, flowers, and tanbark

INSIDE

FOYER

• Fill the home with the aroma of fresh scents such as cinnamon, flowers, and/or potpourri
• Spotlessly clean woodwork, carpeting, and windows throughout the house
• Clear window ledges of all objects to give unobstructed views of the yards
• Repaint walls and ceilings if necessary, always in neutral colors.

KITCHEN

• Professionally clean refrigerator, oven, and stove
• Replace or repair broken appliances, clean and fix kitchen cabinets and drawers
• Make sure all appliances are spotlessly cleaned inside & out
• Wax and polish floors. Discard old food and leftovers in the refrigerator. Remove all messages, pictures, and magnet from the refrigerator
• Clear all magazines, small appliances, and cookware from counter tops
• If something has not been used for months, put it away.

FAMILY ROOM

• Clean fireplace
• Replace carpet if it is a loud color or worn (it does cost money but you will get it back at close of escrow)
• Remove all magazines, books, toys, and worn furnishings
• It will make a difference. Create an easy-going relaxed feeling and atmosphere
• This is where the family will spend most of their time, so make it look it's very best!

LIVING ROOM

• Discard worn furniture and move extra furniture to a storage area
• Too much furniture makes the room look small
• Visit a model home to get decorating ideas
• Clear away all magazines, books, and unnecessary objects throughout the home
• Take down pictures that hide walls
• Patch nail holes and paint
• Add lamps if room is dark
• Open curtains Set out fresh flowers

GARAGE

• The perfect garage contains only cars
• Of course, this is not always possible
• Clean up, fix up, sell, or toss out items that are not needed
• Stack tools, clean work area, tidy up, clean and paint (or seal) floor if needed

BATHROOMS

• Remove any unnecessary items from the counter tops
• New shower curtains, tile & grout always look great
• Fix leaky faucets, rust stains, and faulty plumbing that may leak or bind
• Caulk & grout tile
• Bleach discolored grout. Coordinate towels to one or two colors
• Ensure all light bulbs are operating (throughout house)
• Display scented flowers.

MASTER BEDROOM

• This room is very important (after the kitchen & baths but before the family room)
• Define areas, sleeping & dressing, by arranging furniture. Be sure all clothes are hanging up and not laying around the room
• Make closets more appealing by storing seasonal clothes elsewhere
• Go ahead and pack them up since you are moving anyway

CHILDREN'S BEDROOMS

Here's a challenge; ask your children and/or teenagers to help by thoroughly cleaning up their rooms and removing all posters and questionable photographs. Low lighting and clutter make bedrooms look smaller or darker than they actually are.

• Patch and paint walls
• Open all curtains

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