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First impressions really count with home buyers. A small investment in time and effort can provide a big advantage. Here are some suggestions for preparing your home for showings:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

Depending on the season:

• Lawns cut and raked, hedges and shrubs trimmed, gardens weeded and edged

• Leaves raked, walks swept, decks and patios cleared of leaves and debris

• Snow and ice cleared, walkways sanded or salted

• All seasonal outdoor lighting removed if no longer in season

• House exterior is in good repair

• House number easy to see

• Garage/Carport is clean and tidy

• Cracked or broken window panes replaced

AT THE FRONT DOOR

• Doorbell works

• Door hardware in good repair

• Porch and Foyer clean and tidy

• Front door in clean condition and good repair

INTERIOR MAINTENANCE

• Cracked plaster repaired

• Chipped paint touched up

• Door knobs and cupboard latches tight

• Furnance wiped down and cleaned

• Burned out light bulbs replaced

• Squeaky doors oiled

• No Clutter

• All personal photos hidden

BATHROOM

• Mirrors, fixtures and taps cleaned and polished

• Leaky taps and toilets repaired

• Seals around tubs and basins in good repair

• Inside of cupboards and cabinets clean and neat

• Towels clean and matching

• Clutter put away

KITCHEN

• Sinks and taps clean and polished

• Appliances cleaned

• Countertop clear and polished

• Inside of cupboards and cabinets clean and neat

• Small appliances put away

• Clutter put away

CREATING A BUYING ATMOSPHERE

• All lights turned on

• Air conditioner turned on in warm weather

• Fireplace lit in cool weather

• Closets neat and tidy

• Halls and stairs cleared of clutter

• Drapes opened during the daylight

• Background music playing quietly

• Carpets freshly vacuumed

• Fresh Flowers in various rooms

• Fresh air in house

• Clutter free theme

What should I do with my valuables?

• Jewelry and valuables should be locked away safely or taken with you

• Valuable property (such as art, vases, figurines, momentos etc) should be safely situation, out of reach or locked away

• All medication should be locked up and secured

I have a pet, what should I do with it?

• Pets should be contained or absent during the showing and all pet bowls, beds, toys should be cleaned up and out of the way