Helpful Hints to Sell your Home
Checklist for Moving
Preparing for Showings
Benefits of Using a Real Estate Agent

HELPFUL HINTS

Once your home is for sale, we suggest you follow these helpful hints. They will make the selling of your home a more pleasant experience for everyone involved.

Make a good first impression

The grounds should be properly maintained in summer or winter. Have the lawn mowed and raked, shrubs trimmed, driveway and sidewalks swept or shoveled clean and all debris removed from the property.

Exterior of Home

• Make sure the front door is impressive. Fix it, paint it, or whatever is necessary to make it into a welcome mat.
• Hose down or pressure wash dirty siding or decks.
• Make sure that all painted surfaces are free of peeling paint, mold and mildew. Paint where needed. Pay special attention to the southern exposure, under the eaves and areas behind shrubs that tend to weather and discolor faster than other areas.
• Replace any broken steps leading to the door. Fix up the driveway. Put a fresh coat of sealer on blacktop driveway if needed.
• If you have a garage, keep the garage door closed. If your garage is filled with junk, get rid of it. You need to show a roomy garage.
• Clean the windows until they sparkle.
• Check that awnings and shutters are properly hung and that they have no holes, rips or missing parts.
• Repair cracked panes or torn screens.

Interior of Home

• Paint walls and moldings a neutral color, such as white or beige.
• If you choose to paper your walls, choose solid-colored wallpaper. Mini-prints and small geometrics would be your next best bet.
• Concentrate on the kitchen and bathrooms. Those are that rooms that sell homes, so make them shine. Get everything off the kitchen countertop that doesn’t make the kitchen more attractive. Get rid of excess tables or stools that take up space. Before prospects arrive, take the garbage out – your customer may stick his or her nose under your sink and wherever else the garbage may be.
• Clean all the appliances – especially the oven.
• In the bathroom, check the caulking around the tubs and clean and scrub the tiles. Buy a bright new shower curtain and toilet seat cover.
• Show big closets. You can’t really make them bigger, but you can make them look bigger by reorganizing or removing some clothing.
• Remove and clean ashes from your fireplace when it is not in use. Check fireplace screens for holes and glass panes for cracks.

Miscellaneous

Exterminate: One bug, dead or alive, can make a bad impression on a buyer. Call in a professional to destroy insects such as termites, ants, wasps and cockroaches. Repair any damage caused by insects. Allow time for the smell of pesticides to disappear before showing the home.

Clean and brighten: Of course, a home should appear spotless but it should also smell clean. Apply a little elbow grease and strong cleaners to surfaces inside and outside the house. Hire professionals to shampoo carpets. Be especially aware of household odors caused by smoking or pets. Make sure all light bulbs work and even consider putting in higher wattage bulbs.

Repair a wet basement: The problem can be as easy to fix as installing covers over the window wells. If the moisture problem calls for more extensive repairs, be prepared to explain the problem to a buyer. Never try to cover up the signs of a wet basement.

PREPARING FOR SHOWINGS

• In the evening, turn on at least one light in each from room.
• Ventilate the kitchen to get rid of any cooking odors.
• Repair dripping faucets. Check for proper flushing of toilets, and make sure the handles and seats are securely fastened. Keep toilet seats closed on open house day.
• During the cold winter months, set a crackling fire ablaze in your fireplace. This is because buyers will respond to the glow, the smell and the sounds of a fire. Brighten up a non-working fireplace with decorative fans of paper or brass.
• Apologies should never be made for any adverse appearances of your home. It only emphasizes defects.
• Buyers ask a great many questions of our representatives when being shown through a home and most prefer to do this privately. The inspection should proceed without your immediate presence. The buyer usually feels more relaxed if you are not present. If you insist on being present, please don’t discuss terms, price, etc. We will handle these details.
• If you have pets, it is recommended that they be kept out of the way or out of the house, if possible. Some people are uneasy around animals and the may detract from the prospect’s attention.
• Always be prepared to show your property. If you delay a prospect, it may lose the sale. Your real estate salesperson will always arrange appointments with you in advance.
• Remember, if a reasonable offer is presented, it is wise to negotiate immediately, it may never be repeated.
• Place some potpourri in the stove to create a pleasant aroma.

CHECKLIST FOR MOVING

To avoid any last minute surprises, download our moving checklist.

BENEFITS OF USING A REAL ESTATE AGENT

• We hire full-time professionals. All our training and experience is working for you, the home seller.
• We are your employee, and we’re responsible for vigorously exposing your property to the largest possible market.
• We will help you project the probable selling price range for your home based on it competitive market value. We’ll compare your home with similar ones that were sold recently in your community.
• We attract AND QUALIFY prospective buyers. Our sources include advertising, nationwide referral, open houses, signs, public contact, and cooperative brokers in multiple listing systems. And we screen all prospects; your home is not open to casual lookers.
• We will show your home to its best advantage.
• We will act as the negotiator to obtain a complete meeting of minds regarding the terms of the sale. We’re dedicated to obtaining the best possible price for your home.
• We have access to a large variety of financing techniques, making your property available to the largest percentage of its prospective purchasers.
• We’re well versed in the details of the sales transaction: handling the transfer of funds, preparing the necessary documents for closing, helping to establish the closing date and participating in the closing to consummate the successful transaction.
• Our objectives are exactly the same as yours: namely, to obtain for you the best price it the shortest possible time with the least inconvenience to you.
• Call HOSTETTER REALTY today for prompt, professional and friendly service.