Before you call your Realtor, Tackle this “To Do” list…

• Paint the front door
• Add flowers! Remember, the front door is the buyer’s 1st experience so make it welcoming!
• Fix cracks in the sidewalk, steps, garage floor and driveway
• Prune the trees and shrubs
• Weed the flower gardens and freshen up the mulch
• Home Repair! Dented gutters, peeled window sills, loose siding… fixing these now will not give the future buyer any red flags.
• New roofs are always highlighted in a listing. So if your roof looks like it’s weathered too many storms, now would be a good time to replace it.  Call your insurance agent first as it may be covered.
• If you are thinking of listing your home in the cold winter months, take photos of your gardens and landscaping over the summer, if you can.  I love to see these displayed in the home book for buyers to see what your home looks like in the warmer seasons

• Dust light fixtures and fans, ceilings and woodwork
• Wash windows and screens
• Strip and re-caulk plumbing fixtures
• Scrub the grout in tiled areas
• Shampoo carpets and get those stains out – new carpet is expensive!
• Utility Room:  Dust off your furnace and water heater. They will instantly look newer!  Those spiderwebs will have to find another home.
• Organize every closet and cabinet… one at a time.  This is the best time to donate, sell or give to a lucky friend anything that will not be going with you to your next home.  Why wait until you sell, you still have to deal with it?  This is also a great time to pack the things that you are keeping but don’t need in the next 6 months.  If you clear out a wall in your storage area, then you can stack all of the moving boxes in an organized way.  Now it will be easier to keep things clean for future showings.
• Paint the walls a warm neutral color… nothing is better than a fresh coat of paint.  No more scuffs and dents. Your home will look clean and new.

• Deep clean appliances and don’t forget about the oven!
• Revive your cabinets and update your hardware. I use Restore-A-Finish.  Apply it with a rag, let it sit and wipe away – so easy for rewarding results!
• If you have a little extra $ in your budget for updating your appliances and countertops, now is the time!  Granite and Stainless Steel adds so much to the kitchen and buyers LOVE updated kitchens!