EXTERIOR - The first impression buyers get of your home is when they pull up in front of the house for their first glimpse!  That means the exterior of your home and the landscaping must be appealing! 

1. The lawn should be mowed, beds mulched, shrubs trimmed, and depending upon the time of year a welcoming pot of flowers or an evergreen by the front door sends the right message!
   
2. For an inexpensive fix up, install a new mailbox, new front door hardware, house numbers, or upgrade outdated lighting.
   
3. Make repairs to any exterior areas that need it, such as fixing gutters, replacing rotted fascia, painting exterior, etc.  All of this goes a long way in making a buyer feel confident that the home has been maintained.
   

INTERIOR - Make the right impressions on buyers when they take the first step through your front door!

1. DECLUTTER!  Remove all personal items and large pieces of furniture from rooms to open up the space!  Rent a storage unit or donate unneeded items - now is the time to declutter which will also make for an easier move on your part!
   
2. Clean your house!  Clean your house!  Clean your house!  Get rid of odors, make the windows sparkle, and make your house spotless!  Once again, a clean house gives potential buyers a sense that the home has been maintained and cared for!
   
3. Consider repainting rooms to neutralize your home and spruce up the walls.  Caulk any cracks, fix sticky doors, leaky faucets, and in general fix any of these small nagging items that can leave a bad impression.
   
4. Organize closets, kitchen cabinets, and garages!  Don't forget storage space is extremely important to any potential buyer!  Once again declutter and rearrange these areas as well!
   

SHOWING TIPS

1. Turn on all the lights!  Open the blinds and drapes!  The light opens up the rooms and makes them look spacious!
   
2. Playing soft music and making sure your home smells good calms the senses of potential buyers.
   
3. Fresh flowers in the kitchen or bathrooms adds a splash of color!
   
4. Remove personal items from bathrooms, bedrooms, and other areas of the home.  This gives potential buyers the ability to visualize their own items in the home.
   
5. Remove clutter from kitchen countertops!
   
6. If you have pets, make arrangements for them to be removed from the home or to be placed in a kennel prior to the showing.  And, along with removing the pets, remove their odors too!