Here are the basics so you can get the ball rolling early. When you get closer to selling your property, we will come in and give you some specifics & discuss proper staging of the property

One of the easiest ways to improve the look of your home is to hire quality home service professionals. The right professional can help you get everything quickly- from repainting the interior to providing a thorough house cleaning - so you can stay focused on more important things.

We can refer you to a "Tom & Leslie Approved" service professional  for most of your needs. Most professionals we refer have worked with us in the past & have provided excellent service to our clients.

1. Make the Most of that First Impression
   
   A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted - or at least freshly scrubbed - front door. If it's autumn, rake the leaves. If it's winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home, the better.
   
   
2. Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends
   
   Here's your chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh paint, a new color, adds value to your property. If you're worried about time, hire professional cleaners or painters to get your house ready. Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks than hear how great it could look "with a little work."
   
   
3. Check Faucets and Bulbs
   
   Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark. Don't let little problems detract from what's right with your home.
   
   
4. Don't Shut Out a Sale
   
   If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospect's mind. Don?t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.
   
   
5. Think Safety
   
   Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.
   
   
6. Make Room for Space
   
   Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They're looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items.
   
   
7. Consider Your Closets
   
   The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now's the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
   
   
8. Make Your Bathroom Sparkle
   
   Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats, and shower curtains.
   
   
9. Create Dream Bedrooms
   
   Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colorful bedding adds a pop of color and remember to let the light in! Keep shades and curtains open all the way.
   
   
10. Open up in the Daytime
    
    Let the sun shine in! Pull back curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.
    
    
11. Lighten up at Night
    
    Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside - for every showing if possible. Lights add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.
    
    
12. Avoid Crowd Scenes
    
    Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they're likely to hurry through. Always leave during showings if at all possible.
    
    
13. Watch Your Pets
    
    Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're selling your property. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and Spot outside, or at least out of the way.
    
    
14. Think Volume
    
    Rock-and-roll will never die, but it might kill a real estate transaction. When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the stereo or TV. Leave the stereo on a classical or jazz station at a modest volume.
    
    
15. Don't Turn Your Home into a Second-Hand Store
    
    When prospects come to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.