It's ShowTime!

Before the prospective buyer arrives to view your home, you should prepare the home so that it shows as appealing as possible. Remember that you are selling living space, not furniture-eliminate unnecessary furnishings. Eliminate clutter in every room. Prepare your home as though you were expecting guests to visit every room of your home.

General:

• Get rid of everything that you don't want to move to your next home
• Give away or store the kids out-grown toys. Also, get rid of their parent's out-grown toys.
• Get rid of that treadmill and those obsolete computers that haven't been used for the past five years
• Donate your collection of old books and magazines to the library
• Use furniture oil on kitchen cabinets and other prominent wood surfaces
• Organize your closets

Before the Showing:

• Refrain from cooking food that creates noxious cooking odors
• Make sure all the furniture is dust free
• Do not let the children make a shambles of the house while you are trying to sell it
• Put out your best guest towels in the baths
• Clear the sink and kitchen of dirty dishes; put them in the dishwasher and press the rinse and hold button
• Remove every unnecessary item from every counter top
• Make sure the beds are made and all dirty clothing is stored out of sight
• Place a vase of freshly cut flowers on the table
• Turn on a light in every room
• Tune several radios in your home to the same soothing station

During the Showing:

• If possible, leave the premises during the showing to prospective buyers
• Do not engage in conversation with prospective buyers
• Insist that all discussions about your home be handled by your broker