Getting your home ready for a showing takes more than just tidying up around the house.  As you prepare your home to be shown to prospective buyers, you must look at it through a buyer’s eyes. Your GMAC Real Estate Northwest Real Estate Agent will help you spot the little things that buyers will notice, and things they might otherwise try to use to negotiate a lower price. 

Think about the following when preparing your home to be shown: 

Reduce the Clutter

Remove clutter from all areas of your home to create an impression of spaciousness.  After living in a home for any length of time, stuff begins to collect on shelves, counter tops, in drawers, closets, etc.  A prospective buyer won’t be able to see past your treasures (otherwise known as clutter) to the beauty of your home.  You want as much open clear space as possible, so find a place for everything, and put everything in its place.   Buyers want to feel as if there will be enough space for their things, and if you can't put your things away, they will have a hard time imagining their own things will fit.

• Arrange clothes neatly in closets. Limit storage on the floor and overhead shelves.
• Clear off kitchen countertops and keep sinks empty and clean.  Remove magnets and pictures from refrigerator for a fresh look. Clean and organize cupboard interiors – potential buyers are always curious about storage space. 
• Don’t forget garages, attics, and basements.  These are often the most cluttered spaces in our homes.  A potential buyer will want to look at every room, every closet, and every nook and cranny, so clean and organize these areas for a fresh look. 
• Stage your furnishings to give an impression of spaciousness in each room. Your Sales Associate will be able to make suggestions for furniture placement.

Clean and Brighten Your Home 

• Clean window treatments and carpets.
• Replace worn, stained, or smelly carpeting.
• Replace all lights with higher wattage bulbs and open all drapes for showings.
• Look up – do you need to repair/paint a water stain or other blemish on the ceiling?
• Ask a friend or your GMAC Real Estate Northwest Real Estate Agent to help you assess your efforts
  

Remove Odors

If you smoke or have pets, you may not realize it, but your home inevitably has an odor.  An odor that potential buyers will sense immediately.  Odor removal (and prevention) is essential when showing and selling your home. 

• Consider using an ozone spray that helps to remove odors without creating a masking odor.
• Empty kitty litter boxes daily and use plenty of baking soda.
• Sprinkle carpet freshener on the carpet and vacuum regularly.
  

Quiet Squeaks; Repair Flaws

Check for signs of wear throughout your home.  They may seem minor, but flaws such as loose screws, worn paint and crooked drawer pulls will be noticed by a potential buyer.

• Check walls for smudges, chipped paint and torn or loose wallpaper.  
• Tighten loose doorknobs, switch plates, cabinets, drawer pulls, etc.
• Fix sticking doors and windows, and squeaking floors and steps.
• Fix leaky faucets, and remove water stains.  Be sure to repair whatever caused the water stain to begin with.
• Repair or clean caulking on tubs and sinks.
  

Neutralize Your Home! 

Neutral colors appeal to any decorating scheme.  You may love the yellow walls in your hall bath and red cabinets in the kitchen, but that may seem gaudy to a potential buyer.  Neutral décor, including floor and wall coverings, appliances and fixtures, offers the broadest appeal to home buyers.  Of course, depending on your budget and time constraints, you may not be able to do anything about the decorating scheme. Don't worry, at the right price, every home has a buyer. These are just suggestions to help you get top dollar for your home.

Your GMAC Real Estate Northwest Real Estate Agent can provide helpful tips for neutralizing your home, while still allowing its personality to shine.

Outside the Home

Your yard is an important part of merchandising your home.  It is the first thing a potential buyer sees when they arrive.  You want them to say, "wow I hope it is this house" when their real estate agent drives toward your house.  In addition to keeping your lawn well manicured, check the exterior of your home for needed repairs.  Review the following tips to make your home’s exterior as appealing as possible. 

• Keep the lawn well-trimmed and edged. Keep shrubs and trees trimmed.
• Rake up loose leaves and grass cuttings.
• Put away lawn equipment, toys and other outdoor items.
• Stack firewood neatly.
• Repair and paint or stain fences and decks.
• Check exterior surfaces. Make repairs, clean or paint as needed.
• Clean, paint, and repair or realign gutters.
• Fix broken windows and screens, then wash.
• Wash down the exterior of the house, driveways and sidewalks.
• Look at your driveway closely, and repair cracks, chips, or holes.
• Check the roof and repair loose shingles or flashing.
• Make sure the entry light and doorbell work.
• Replace house numbers and welcome mat as needed.
• Paint, stain or clean the front door if needed.
• Brighten your landscaping with moveable, potted flowers.