WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A SELLER

General

• Maintain the property in ready-to-show condition

• Ensure that the house is easily accessible to real estate professionals (lock box and key)

• Try to be flexible in the scheduling of showings

• When you are not at home, let me know how you can be reached in case an offer is received

• If approached directly by a buyer who is not represented by a real estate professional, please contact me—do not allow them into the property unescorted

• Remove or lock up valuables, jewelry, cash and prescription medications

• If possible, do not be present when the property is being shown

• Securely pen up pets, or take them with you

• Be cautious about saying anything to buyers or their sales professionals that could weaken your negotiating position, especially regarding price or your urgency to sell

• Let me know of any change in the property’s condition that would need to be disclosed to buyers

• Contact me at any time with questions or concerns

Preparing Your Property For Showings

• Disassociate yourself from your home—Remember your house is a product to be sold

• De-Personalize—Pack up personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts, and you don’t want them to be distracted

• De-Clutter!—Pack up knickknacks, clean off everything on kitchen counters, put items away in bathrooms, organize closets/cupboards, put away toys

• Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense

• Rent a storage unit if necessary—Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage

• Make minor repairs—Replace burned-out light bulbs, patch holes in walls, fix leaky faucets, fix doors that don’t close properly, kitchen drawers that jam, replace cracked floor or counter tiles

• Make the house sparkle—Clean dishes, make beds, empty wastebaskets, vacuum, clean wood floors, dust, clean out cobwebs, wash windows, re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks, replace worn carpet and drapes

• Minimize all odors—Clean and air out any musty smelling areas, get rid of pet or smoking odors

• Consider painting walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple/pink

• Check Curb Appeal—Shovel walkways/plow driveway, mow lawn, trim hedges/shrubs, remove the clutter (toys, yard tools etc.), take care of oil spots in driveway, paint if necessary, park car in the garage/on road