Preparing and Showing your home

Preparing Your Homes Exterior

• Yard carefully manicured, edged, fertilized and watered.
• Trees and shrubs trimmed; flower beds edged, weeded and cultivated.
• Driveways and walks free of debris, oil spots, and tire marks.
• Exterior house paint in good condition and clean, especially the front door.
• All door locks open properly and easily.
• Roof in good condition.
• Screens and screen doors repaired.
• All exterior lighting in working condition, with fresh bulbs.
• Absence of clutter in yard and driveway.

Preparing Your Homes Interior

• Walls clean and unmarked, preferably freshly painted with neutral colors.
• Windows clean inside and out.
• All light fixtures working and fresh bulbs in each.
• Plumbing in good repair.
• No cooking, smoking, pet or other objectionable odors.
• Sinks and tubs stain-free; faucets in good repair.
• Caulking in tubs and showers in good repair.
• All clutter removed from closets, garage, carport, yard and other storage areas.
• Ask your REALTOR® what should be boxed up and stored to give your home a more spacious look.

Showing Your Home

When your home is to be shown, our Sales Associates will always attempt to make an appointment with you, giving you as much advance notice as possible. To help make the best impression, we suggest you do the following:

During the showings

• Open draperies and curtains.
• Turn on enough lights to brighten every corner, day and night.
• Remove dirty dishes.
• Make beds.
• Rooms dusted, vacuumed and clutter-free.
• Kitchens and baths sparkling clean; no clutter on counter-tops.
• Noise is distracting. Be sure TV and radios are turned off, although soft background music is acceptable.
• It’s best to keep pets out of the house. Even the friendliest pets become anxious when strangers appear.
• Put away valuables such as jewelry and cash, or remove completely.
• Never enter into a conversation with a prospect. Let the Realtor who is showing your home answer any questions the prospective buyers may have. It is best for you to leave while the house is being shown.
• If a prospective buyer comes by unexpectedly without a broker, get their name and phone number. FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION, DO NOT SHOW THE HOME. Have unescorted buyers call your Realtor for an appointment. Your cooperation will be appreciated and will help us close the sale for you more quickly.