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Get Your House Ready To Sell
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In preparing your house to sell, ask yourself over
and over if your house looks like someone else's dream
house. Houses in move-in condition tend to be inviting
to buyers; houses that are in like-new condition typically
sell fastest and procures the best price because it outshine
the competition.
With that in mind, here are a few things to consider as you look over your
house when getting ready to sell:
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| Exterior |
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Remember the sixty-second rule: that's all the time you
have to create a good first impression! Mow the lawn, rake
leaves, trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of the
house, and remove dead plants. It will probably be easier
to sell your house if the buyer can see it, outside and
in. Pick up tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys, and building
materials and store them neatly in a storage area. Replace
broken or missing roof shingles, and straighten and clean
the gutters and downspouts. Clean all windows and mend
torn screens. Paint your house, if necessary. This can
probably help improve curb appeal more than any other fix-up!
If you decide against painting the entire house, at least
consider painting the front door, window frames, and shutters.
Seal or resurface the driveway and repair broken steps
and walkways. Paint or replace your mailbox and post. Dress
up the front yard with some simple landscaping.
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| Clean, Clean, Clean |
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Step back for a moment and look at your home as if you
were seeing it for the first time. Every room should be
neat, spotlessly clean, dusted, and uncluttered. Steam
clean the carpets and wax the floors. Wash the walls, windows,
and light fixtures. Tighten loose stair railings and clean
all woodwork. In the event that you feel a project of this
magnitude is better left to a professional, ask your real
estate agent to recommend a professional cleaning service.
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| Entryway |
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Use bright light bulbs in the foyer and throughout the
house. Fill the house with a pleasant aroma, such as berries
in the summer or cinnamon in the winter, or some other
fresh scent.
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| Living Room |
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Replace the carpet if it's old or worn. It costs money,
but you may find that you will more than recoup that cost
when the home sells. Patch cracks and nail holes in the
walls, and repaint walls in neutral colors, such as white
or ivory. Nail down creaking boards and stair treads. Lubricate
any sticking or squeaking doors. Open all curtains, and
replace them if they are getting old. Add lamps and lighting
if the house is dark. Set out fresh flowers.
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| Furniture |
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Rearrange or move furniture to make your rooms look more
spacious. Discard worn furniture and move extra furniture
to a storage unit. Remember, too much furniture and too
many knick-knacks make rooms look cluttered and small.
One or two decorative items per surface is plenty, so pack
the rest away. Visit model homes for decorating ideas.
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| Kitchen and Baths |
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These rooms should sparkle! Clear off counters, and clean
all appliances and fixtures. Scrub the floors and walls.
Re-caulk tubs and showers. Clean these rooms thoroughly,
and be sure they smell fresh!
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| Closets |
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Take those things to Goodwill that you'll have to discard
anyway when you move. Organize shelves and straighten shoes.
Be sure that sliding doors operate smoothly on their tracks
and knobs on drawers are secure.
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| Utility Room |
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Dust and wash off lint from the washer and dryer. Dust
and wash off the water heater.
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| Light and Bright |
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Do everything you can to brighten the interior. Replace
wallpaper with white or off-white paint, and repaint shabby
or dark walls. Open the blinds, and replace broken windows
and window seals. Always maintain a comfortable temperature
inside the house, even if you are away for an extended
period of time. |
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