You may not be able to finish the basement or remodel the kitchen, but you can improve the market value of your house.

It is important to attract as many qualified buyers as possible. In preparing your home for sale it is important to look at your home through a "buyer's eyes". People buy what they see. So look at your home as if you were in a buyer's shoes. Make your home as appealing and uncluttered as the home you would like to buy.

Outside

• Mow the lawn, trim trees and shrubs away from house. You can't sell a house if you can't see it. Rake leaves if it's that time of year, remove dead plants, flowers, shrubs.
• Put away tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys and building materials neatly in the garage. (Where applicable)
• Remove window screens while selling your home and keep windows clean. This will allow plenty of light to come in. Clean front door and stain or paint where needed.
• Check for broken roof shingles, straight lines on gutters, shutters, windows, and siding.
• Seal or resurface driveway.
• Clear patios or decks of planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbeques (During winter).
• In the front yard, dress up around shrubs and lamp post with fresh mulch.

Foyer

• Use bright light bulb in foyer light fixture.
• Turn on all lights in home in the evening to welcome potential buyers. This is not a bad idea to do in the daytime as well.
• Clean all light fixtures. Dirty fixtures get noticed. Clean fixtures give a bright and cheery atmosphere.
• Fill the house with the pleasant aroma of cinnamon, or other fresh scent. This can be done by simply simmering a pan of water and cinnamon on the stove.
• Spotlessly clean woodwork, carpeting.
• Clear window ledges of all objects to give a nice glimpse inside and out.
• Repaint walls if necessary, in neutral color such as antique white.

Living Room

• Discard worn furniture and move extra to storage area. Too much furniture makes rooms look small.
• Visit a model home to get decorating ideas.
• Clear away all magazines, books, and unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house.
• Take down pictures that hide walls. Patch nail holes and paint.
• Add lamps and lighting if dark.
• Open curtains.
• Set out fresh flowers.

Kitchen

• Professionally clean your oven and stove.
• Replace broken appliances, and repair squeaks, drips, or binds in cabinet drawers.
• Clean all appliances inside and out until they are spotless. Wax and polish floors.
• Discard old food and leftovers from refrigerator.
• Clean refrigerator front of messages, pictures, and magnets. Unless of course the magnet is Don Fitzgerald's of O'Conor, Piper & Flynn with telephone number 410-997-5808. This way his number is handy and you can call him for advice anytime!
• Clear all magazines, small appliances, and cookware from countertops.
• If it hasn't been used in months...put it away!

Family Room

• Clean Fireplace (when applicable).
• Replace carpet if it's a loud color. I know this costs money but it will sell the house whereas buyers without imagination will walk out without considering an offer.
• Remove all magazines, books, toys and worn furnishings that might influence a buyer's feelings about the room.
• Create an easy-going relaxed atmosphere in your family room. This is where most families spend their time so make it look GREAT!

Bathrooms

• Remove any unnecessary items from vanity, tubs, etc. The idea is to make it look like a guest bathroom.
• Sink, commode, bathtub, tile and shower curtain should look immaculate, no soap film or hair.
• Caulk and grout tile. Bleach discolored grout. It doesn't take long and sells!
• Replace any wallpaper not "conservative". Decorate with towels (one or two colors).

Master Bedroom

• This is the second most important-to-be appealing room in a home. (After the kitchen, before the family room and garage).
• Define areas (sleeping, dressing, etc.) By furniture arrangement. Keep simply furnished.
• Be sure all clothes are hanging up, not laying out in the room.
• Make closets more appealing by storing off-season clothes elsewhere. Go ahead and pack them up since you're moving.

Children's Bedrooms

• Here's a challenge, ask children and teenagers to clean up their rooms, take down posters, open curtains, add lighting.

Garage

• The perfect garage contains only cars, but if this is not possible, clean up, fix up, sell or toss out uneeded items. Have a garage sale!
• Clean and seal, possibly paint floor.
• Basement
• A finished basement is great - follow directions for family room.
• If unfinished, keep floor swept. Again by using a cement paint, it keeps dirt down, looks fresh and only takes a few hours. A battleship grey is recommended.
• Change furnace filter, clean appliances.

Remember

We don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. Buyers are looking for well cared for homes that they can move right into.

Super Critical Areas: Front Door, Kitchen, Bathrooms!

Additional Tips To Help Me Sell Your Home

• Children, pets and adults can keep buyers from feeling at ease while they look through a home. For showings, please be out of the home whenever possible.
• Tell me what you like about your home, the yard, the location, etc.
• Strong cooking or smoking odors can ruin a sale. Make sure your home is fresh for showings.

For additional information, no obligation of course, call, write or email Don.