21 Questions that help your property sell faster     What is the buyer’s first impression of the exterior of your house? What can I do to improve it? Shall I reseed the lawn and get my landscaping in top shape? Does the house or any part of the house need painting? What about the doormats? Should I replace them with new ones that are neutral and omit our family name? What about the screens? Any holes? What about the windows? Do they work well, or do they need attention? Should I give my CENTURY 21 sales associate a list of things my family likes about the house and neighborhood? What are buyer’s first impressions as they step inside my house? What can I do to improve it? Are pets under control at all times? Does the carpet need cleaning? How about replacing? Are all appliances in good working order? Should I take items from the kitchen cabinets to make them more spacious? Do any cabinets need to be touched up or refinished? Is there any furniture I could store or dispose of to make rooms appear larger? Since a buyer will be looking in the closets, should I take some of the clothes out to make them look more spacious? Should I remove an item that a buyer may want as part of the house, for example, a special chandelier or wall system? Are the garage and storage areas as clean and neat as they can be? Should I stay out of prospective buyer’s way? Are the terms and price offered going to appeal to most of the buying public in my price range? Do I need to be aware of other houses similar to mine also being offered for sale? Before spending needless time and money, should I consult my CENTURY 21 sales associate?       Getting your house ready to put on the market     I N S I D E   Clean! Clean! – Have the carpets shampooed, wax the floors, wash the walls, windows, blinds, drapes, and lighting fixtures. Consider engaging a cleaning service, recognizing that it is a justified moving expense.   Kitchen and bathrooms – Clear off counter tops. Leave your canisters and little else. Maximize the available counter space. These rooms should be gleaming. If unsightly, have the tub re-caulked and remove mineral deposits and grime from the shower walls. Clean the stove, microwave and refrigerator.   Primary storage area – Like the garage, it’s time has come to be liberated. Remember, you can do it now and benefit with a more attractive home on the market, or you can do it several months from now, in the process of moving when there is no advantage. Do it now!   Repairs – Identify and repair dripping faucets, sticking or creaking doors, etc... When people see areas of disrepair they begin to wonder whether there may be other unseen problems.   Closets – Remove out of season clothing. Organize your clothing and the shoes on the floor. Remove all clutter from cabinets and closets.   Furniture – The less furniture the larger a room appears to be.   A light appearance – As a rule, do everything to lighten the appearance of the home. Raise the blinds, open the drapes and use light colors. Repaint any room beginning to look shabby.     O u t s i d e   Walk the property – With a pencil and pad, list anything that you think is less than satisfactory without regard to cost or time. You can review the list afterwards to determine what you can and can’t repair.   The house – Take a close look as you walk the property. Clean anything that looks unkept or dirty, repair or replace anything that looks loose, dingy, rusted or broken. Make sure the door bell works. Replace a tired looking mailbox, clean the exterior light fixtures and wash the windows. Try to spot hanging or rusty gutters, loose shingles or shutters.   The yard – Turn and weed beds, trim the trees and shrubs. Lay in ground cover. Mend the fence, fix the gate latch. Pick up litter. Consider a landscaping/lawncare service.   Outdoor furniture – Examine and spot paint outdoor furniture. If it’s rusty or unrepairable consider disposing of the pieces.   Front entry – It is the first thing the buyers see when they stand there waiting for the door to be opened. It will be worth the extra effort to spruce it up.   The garage – The time has come. Discard virtually everything in the garage that has not been used in the last year or two. Then wash it down.       Preparing for a showing   It is very important that your home shows well. We’re also aware that it can’t always be perfect. After all, you and your family must live there too. Develop a routine that will allow you to pick up and be prepared to show in a reasonable period without duress…a 45 minute countdown, for example. This means that certain things must be done in advance. For example, beds must be made first thing in the morning and dirty dishes placed in the dishwasher after use so that you need not rush around tending to this matter at the last moment. This way you can prepare for each showing in an organized, un-hassled routine.     Before each showing   Pick up each room – Check counters, floors, halls, and stairs. Straighten up or remove newspapers, magazines, mail, toys, clothing and recreation gear, stack glasses and dishes.   Turn on all lights – Even those in closets and in storage rooms. Electric lights have an amazing capability for creating an illusion of being light, airy and spacious.   Open all drapes, shades and blinds – Do all that you can to create a bright and light ambiance? THE BEDROOMS – Make up the beds, neatly and attractively, early in the morning. This is a job you do not want to do when you learn that the potential buyers will be there within the hour.   The kitchen – Be sure all counter tops are clear and “Squeaky-clean”. Wipe down appliances. Be sure all dishes are in the dishwasher or cleaned and put away. The sink should be clear and clean.   Clean air – Keep air fresheners in closets, bathrooms and kitchens. Be especially careful to keep kitchen odors fresh, coffee brewing, or cinnamon coffeecake baking in the oven that have a lasting, inviting effect.   Music, music, music – Perhaps you can not have something baking in the oven every time, but soft, pleasant background music may be very effective.   Fireplace – A warm, cozy fire may be just the extra touch that turns the trick.   Air conditioning – If the weather is warm and sultry, have it operating.   The bathrooms – Keep a set of fresh attractive towels in each room that you can change instantly.   The entryway – It is the first and last impression that your buyers will have of your home – make it good one! Check it regularly for sharpness.       THE SHOWING     Everything is going to be fine.  Matt and Monika have called in advance and you  have made your last minute preparation as indicated in  “Preparing for a showing”.   Relax – There is nothing more to do. Pick up a magazine while you are waiting, or turn on the lights, music and prepare to leave the property. Try to be understanding, the agent may have several home showings schedule and he or she may be a little early or late. It’s very difficult to be perfectly precise.   The dog – Keep Fido away. Your fun pet will distract pet lovers. For those who do not have pets, it may be bothersome.   Children should be seen and not heard – This is a new experience for the kids. Naturally, they are excited, but they will disturb the professional flow of the showing. Ask them to remain away from the agent and buyers, go outside, or watch TV.     Ding dong - Answer the door as you would for any welcome guest. The agent will take care of the introductions. If there is a situation that needs mentioning, perhaps a sick child in the second bedroom, do so now. You may invite the agent to begin showing the home and then you may excuse yourself.   Low profile – Discreetly remain away from the buyers. As helpful as you wish to be, your presence will be intimidating. They need to be able to discuss the home freely with one another. The agent needs to learn from the buyer how they are responding to your home. Your presence can limit free communication.   Conversing with the buyers – If you are asked questions about the neighborhood, schools, etc., by all means answer pleasantly. However, avoid becoming engaged in a conversation. Questions regarding terms of sale should be referred to the agent. If the agent is a cooperating broker and does not have the answers, advise him or her that, your agent, will contact them.   What should you do – If possible, leave the property. Take a walk outside or drive around the neighborhood, or run an errand. If you must stay at home pick a room and settle down. When they stop to preview that room, you may leave, but it is not really necessary. After all, they don’t want to feel that they are chasing you around the house. If there is a room that you should try not to be in, it would be the kitchen since buyers, generally, spend more time there as they evaluate appliances, counter space, cabinets,etc...   Inclusion – The listing sheet should clearly identify items that are included and excluded in the offered property. Do not initiate conversation about another personal property that you may be interested in negotiating. It rarely is a deal clincher, may be distracting, and besides, there will be time to discuss this at the offer presentation.   Let the “pro” work – As much as you love your home, do not be tempted to do the agent’s job. He or she has been working with the buyers and should know what is important to them. \whether the agent mentions your new refrigerator now, or after they leave, it is in his hands.   Wait to hear from Us before making any assumptions as to  their interest level... We will have sought a full report!  :)