TIPS: How to Sell Your Home in a Hurry

Preparing your home for showing
When selling your home, appearance can be the single most important thing that attracts a buyer. Many needed improvements and repairs can add to the value of your home. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your home's value:

• Keep your house and garage tidy.
• Repair sticking doors or windows.
• Decorate faded walls and touch-up worn woodwork.
• Replace cracked windows, door windows and torn screens.
• Clean and sanitize carpets and rugs.
• Replace worn carpeting and rugs.
• Repair broken switches and light bulbs.
• Wash or paint exterior, if necessary.
• Repair leaky plumbing.
• Abolish objectionable odors.
• Keep pets out of sight and under control.
• Keep television and radio volumes low or off.
• Never apologize for appearance.
• Leave showing entirely to your agent.
• Make sure your lawn and other landscaping is neatly trimmed or mowed.
• Make certain your yard is clean of refuse and leaves.
• Open the drapes and curtains. Clean the windows. Dark rooms do not appeal to most buyers.
• Have your closets clean and organized, so they look as spacious as possible.
• Repair or replace discolored or damaged caulking around bathtubs and showers.
• Give the real estate agent associate a key for use when you're not there. Remember a missed showing can result in a missed sale!