95TIPS, TRICKS, &REPAIRS TO HELPYOU SELL QUICKLYIn order to show your home at its best possible potential, you willneed to frankly assess its appearance and condition. Take thetime to look thoroughly at all of the areas outlined below.

Look at the home through the eyes of the buyer.

Setting the stage to sell your home is worth it.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT Your house has to have curb appeal. First impressions are powerful ones and every detail counts.

1 REPAINT THE EXTERIOR Does the house sparkle or is it looking a little tired? If you don’t want to tackle an entire paint job, at least spruce up the window frames, shutters and front door.

2 GIVE THE HOUSE A BATH If the exterior seems more dirty than worn, rent a gas-powered pressure washer from a local tool center and, working from top to bottom, hose down all the outside surfaces including all concrete areas.

3 REPLACE SIDING If your siding shows more wear and tear than a paint job can fix or if you have wood rot, consider replacing the siding. A house that looks good from the outside sells faster and for a better price.

4 CHECK THE ROOF and GUTTERS Missing or torn shingles, sagging gutters and loose downspouts make a house look unkempt. Worse, they can cause costly damage. Unclog and resecure gutters, repair the roof and replace broken downspouts.

5 CLEAN WINDOWS UNTIL THEY SHINE This is a must! Scrape off any paint splatters with a razor blade, wash windows with ammonia and water, and then buff them until they sparkle!

6 INSTALL SHUTTERS If your house seems plain, adding exterior shutters in a color that is lighter or darker can make the house more distinctive. Consider a color that matches your trim and doors, making certain that the shutters are appropriate to the style of your home.

7 WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR LAWN, THINK PUTTING GREEN Use a quick-greening fertilizer (ammonium sulfate, urea or ammonium nitrate). With proper application and watering, you will see results in two or three weeks. Trim the edges by cutting into the turf in a straight line with a spade or edger. Get rid of any weeds around shrubs or in flower beds. Reseed or returf any bald spots and keep the grass watered and mowed.

8 MAKE IT EASY TO GET TO THE FRONT DOOR Cut back over-grown shrubbery that impedes access from the drive to the entry door or that keeps light out of the house. Over-grown shrubs tend to date the house.

9 THE ONLY GUARANTEE THAT CONCRETE OFFERS IS THAT IT WILL CRACK! If you have a lot of cracks in your drive or walkway, consider laying a brick or stone walkway. It’s much more attractive and leads the eye enticingly to the entry porch or door.

IMPRESSIVE ENTRIES People want to feel proud of their home. Nothing can project that feeling as strongly as the entrance.

10 CHANGE YOUR ENTRY DOOR By replacing a standard flat door with a premium-quality, raised-panel door with decorative glass, you immediately give your house an added touch of class.

11 ADD A TOUCH OF BRASS Install a shiny new brass (or nickel) knocker, doorknob and kick plate. The message says this is a doorway where you would be proud to welcome friends.

12 DING…DONG Replace your doorbell to match or blend with your entry door.

13 GET A NEW MAILBOX If you are in an area that still has individual mailboxes, consider updating your old box to a custom or designer-type mailbox that will be noticed and admired.

14 SPRING IN BLOOM Flowering plants are always in style…put a flowering pot on the front porch or step and keep it watered and trimmed.

15 CREATE A DISTINCT and SEPARATE ENTRYWAY Few people like to enter directly into the living room so if you are not lucky enough to have a distinct entry, create one by using a bookcase, screen or cabinet as a divider. A great idea is to mount a mirror on the back or entry side of the divider or install a mirror on the wall opposite the divider to visually add space and reflect the image of a lush plant.

16 MAKE THE FLOOR SPOTLESS When people wipe their feet, where else do they look? If you use a carpet remnant here, get rid of it. Replace existing carpeting or flooring or simply use a plain sisal doormat.

17 ELIMINATE ODORS Whether they are from pets or the kitchen, they are sure to offend visitors. Avoid sweet-smelling sprays or potpourri. Plug-in neutralizers are best.

18 DRESS UP A HO-HUM FOYER Add an elegant overhead light or wall sconces. Choose one decorative element and highlight it such as a vase of colorful fresh flowers, a lighted painting or a framed mirror.

BIGGER IS BETTER The average home today is bigger than in 1980. Buyers like spacious, bright, airy places. Here are some ways to make any house seem bigger than it really is.

19 PAINT ROOMS IN LIGHT, NEUTRAL COLORS Whites and off-whites are most popular for walls, especially in small spaces such as entryways and bathrooms. Light colors expand the feeling of a room. If you have nice molding, consider painting the molding white or off-white and the walls a light shade of beige, cream or taupe.

20 DECORATE ROOMS IN TONES OF ONE NEUTRAL COLOR Harmonizing draperies, walls, furniture and accessories make a room look less busy and therefore larger.

21 RENT SPACE AT A MINI-STORAGE FACILITY And fill it with bulky, unnecessary pieces of furniture, junk from your closets, garage and attic, extra chairs from the dining room, your knickknack collections… anything that adds clutter to your house.

22 HAVE A YARD SALE And make a little money or donate everything that you haven’t utilized in the past year to charity and get a tax deduction!

23 PLACE MIRRORS IN STRATEGIC SPOTS This is especially effective in very small spaces like entryways or bathrooms. Make certain there is some- thing beautiful reflected in the mirror. If your kitchen or dining room has open shelving, mirrored backs on the cabinets where you display your glassware and china expand a room.

24 KEEP WALLS SIMPLE and ELEGANT An excessive amount of small pictures dotted around a room tends to make it feel crowded. Instead group small pictures or choose a single large one.

25 CLEAN OFF ALL COUNTERTOPS and TABLETOPS Clutter throughout the house gives the impression that there’s just not enough room for everything. Aim for simplicity.

26 INSTALL HIGH WATTAGE BULBS THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE The brighter the rooms, the larger they look. Be cautious, however, to limit the wattage to the recommended maximum.

27 STORE AT LEAST HALF YOUR KID’S TOYS IN THE ATTIC OR STORAGE FACILITY This is a chance to involve your kids in the house sale. If they are reluctant to part with some of their favorites, perhaps they would be agreeable to doing it just while you are actually showing the house.

28 TAKE THE LEAF OUT OF THE DINING TABLE By shrinking your table and removing extra chairs, you will expand the space.

29 MAKE TRAFFIC FLOW SMOOTHLY Often there will be at least three people touring your house. If they are constantly bumping into furniture or having to walk single file, they will feel cramped. Arrange furniture to allow for plenty of space to walk in.

30 CHECK OUT STORAGE OPTIONS Specialty stores and even Target and Wal-Mart offer many types of containers for storing clothing, shoes and toys. Consider investing in some in order to make your home look more organized and visually expand closets.

KITCHEN HELPINGS This is a room that can make or break the sale of a house… buyers often head for the kitchen first. They look for cleanliness and efficiency above everything else.

31 HAVE IT CLEANED PROFESSIONALLY You may not have time to do a thorough cleaning. It is worth the money to call in a professional to scour behind the refrigerator, under the stove…in other words a top-to-bottom overhaul.

32 ORGANIZE YOUR PANTRY Buyers love the idea of a pantry that offers plenty of storage. Stack cans and organize boxes neatly. Put appliances seldom used on the top shelf. Purchase plastic storage containers to group and store bagged and loose items…wire pull-outs also work well for these type of items.

33 CLEAN OUT DRAWERS Crammed, messy drawers (and cupboards) will simply trigger too-little-storage fears. Put flatware, cooking utensils and knives in divided drawer bins.

34 FIX LIFTED CORNERS OR TRIM ON LAMINATE COUNTERTOPS Hold a heat gun, set on “low”, about 6 inches above the surface to warm the glue on the laminate. Once it feels tacky, remove heat and roll down the edge with a seam roller. If laminate still pops loose, scrape off all the old adhesive then resecure the edge with contact cement, applying it to the underside of the laminate and to the substrate per manufacturer’s directions.

35 REPLACE OR REFINISH CABINET DOORS Today there are specialists who offer facelifts for cabinets. Look for them in the Yellow Pages. Choose new doors (or repaint old ones) in a light color.

36 CHANGE CABINET HARDWARE Shiny new drawer pulls; door handles and hinges can transform your outdated cabinets. Select a design that will blend with the appliances and/or lighting fixtures.

37 NO ROOM FOR PETS The kitchen, of all places, should be free of any evidence of pets. That includes litter boxes, rubber toys and food dishes.

38 TONE DOWN HARD-TO- CHANGE ELEMENTS You may not want to make the investment in new ceramic tile but you can paint the walls a neutral color to simplify the look of your kitchen.

39 MAKE ENAMEL-COATED APPLIANCES LOOK NEW Remove stains with undiluted bleach and a stiff brush. Hide any nicks with appliance touch-up enamel, then polish with a soft cloth and auto body polish.

40 ADD TASK LIGHTING FOR INDIVIDUAL WORK AREAS In addition to bright overhead lighting, illuminate work surfaces with separate under-cabinet lights.

41 BRING LIGHT IN An open, airy look is desirable throughout the house but especially in the kitchen. If you have full curtains or shades, consider removing them altogether.

42 DEBUG Remove debris (dust, flies, moths, etc.) from all light fixtures.

43 LET YOUR KITCHEN LOOK WARM & WELCOMING Keep your sink shining and free of dirty dishes at all times.

44 CLEAN THE FRIDGE Clean the refrigerator and organize the interior. Remove all magnets to give a clean look.

45 DEGREASE THE OVEN Completely degrease and clean the oven. Let the kitchen smell fresh and fragrant (with cinnamon warming in the clean oven if you have time).

BATHROOM BASICS More than any other room, the rule for bathrooms is clean, clean, clean - and that means from floor to ceiling. A musty smell can kill a sale.

46 CLEAN UP CERAMIC TILES & GROUT Use a strong antimildew cleaner such as Tilex or a solution of white vinegar and water and a stiff brush. Try household bleach on stains on light grout…scrub and scrub until you succeed. On the other hand, if grout is damaged, missing or badly stained, carefully remove the old grout with a putty knife, scrubbing the join clean. Press new grout into the joint with your finger (use rubber gloves) smoothing out bubbles. Remove excess grout by carefully wiping a damp sponge over the tiles.

47 RECAULK FAULTY JOINTS Don’t confuse caulking with grout. Caulking is the sealant where the bath joins the wall. Damaged caulking looks messy and, more important, can cause leaks and water damage to rooms below or adjacent to the bath. Replacing it can take less than an hour.

48 NEUTRALIZE AN OUTDATED COLOR SCHEME If you’re stuck with flamingo-pink tiles, downplay them by painting the walls white or cream and putting out plain white or gray towels. Keep a stock of freshly laundered ones ready in your linen closet.

49 BUY A NEW SHOWER CURTAIN Buy white or a light solid color… avoid patterns as they make the room seem smaller.

50 SHINE UP CHROME FIXTURES Use a stiff-bristled brush dampened with white vinegar…never use a metal cleaner or an abrasive. Dry and polish immediately with a soft cloth.

51 REMOVE STAINS FROM A PORCELAIN SINK For common stains, use a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. For stubborn stains, line the surface with paper towels and saturate with household bleach. After 30 minutes, remove the towels and rinse with water.

52 REPAIR A BADLY CHIPPED ENAMEL SINK OR BATHTUB A professional job, which can be done on site, will get the best results. It generally takes from 3 to 5 hours and needs another 48 hours to cure. Look under “porcelain” in the Yellow Pages.

53 FIX LEAKY FAUCETS You may have become accustomed to a dripping tap but it will scream neglect to a prospective buyer.

54 INSTALL NEW TOWEL BARS, FAUCETS & OTHER HARDWARE Luxurious extras like these are real crowd-pleasers and will pay off.

55 CLEAR AWAY CLUTTER This means on top of the toilet, on countertops, inside the medicine cabinet and on the walls. Buyers do not really want to see your personal toiletries or old terry cloth bath robe on display.

56 SECURE WALLPAPER Glue down curling or loose wallcovering with seam sealer found in hardware stores.

57 GIVE MAGAZINES & BOOKS A PROPER HOME A beautiful basket is perfect.

58 PUT OUT SCENTED CANDLES OR POTPOURRI Make sure you use one scent throughout the entire house.

59 REPLACE THE TOILET SEAT Choose the color to match the toilet.

60 INSTALL A FAN Check the ventilation. If it’s inadequate, have an exhaust fan put in…it’s worth the expense.

LIVABLE LIVING ROOMS Help prospective buyers see beyond your particular furnishings and imagine themselves living there. In a very basic sense, make the living room seem usable.

61 ESTABLISH A FOCAL POINT It pulls a room together. If you have a fireplace, that’s a natural. Arrange furniture around it. An impressive wall of books or a piano work well, too. Play up a focal point with light or color to distract from possible shortcomings.

62 GROUP FURNITURE Couches, chairs and tables scattered haphazardly around a room give it a cluttered and disorganized feeling. Instead, think of arrangements that encourage conversation and conviviality. Pull the pieces of furniture toward one another in a group to give the space an airier feeling and more walking room.

63 SILENCE A SQUEAKY FLOOR For an easy, temporary repair, locate the offending boards and squirt some powdered graphite lubricant into the seams between the boards. Step on and off the boards to work the powder into the joint. Simply repeat the application if the floor starts making noise again.

64 GIVE NEW LIFE TO YOUR FLOORING If carpeting is wrinkled, use a carpet layer’s tool called a knee-knicker to stretch the carpet. Strip, rewax or buff waxed wood floors. Clean the grout in ceramic tile floors and make them sparkle.

65 GET RID OF OLD PRESSED WOOD PANELING If the wall is less than perfect, try a painting technique such as sponging to cover any uneven surfaces and give a soft, elegant look. Wood paneling does require a primer first.

66 ADD ARCHITECTURAL DETAIL Crown moldings, chair rails and tall baseboards can transform a boxy room into an inviting space. If your house already has these details, be sure to showcase them, making repairs as needed.

67 PUT AWAY YOUR COLLECTIONS Religious and political mementos are particular no-nos as are real animal rugs and big-game trophy heads. Don’t overdo family photos either. Remember, you want to provide visitors with a blank canvas on which they can fill in their own details.

68 DISGUISE A BAD VIEW Don’t put up heavy drapes to cover it…people will be curious to see what’s behind them. Instead, hang a half curtain or a beautiful green plant that stops the eye short of the construction site beyond. A simple no-sew valance just might do the trick.

69 MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL Hang mirrors where they will reflect outdoor light as well as make the room look larger.

DINING ROOM DRAMA Because a dining room isn’t used as often as other rooms in the house, it can seem a little like a showroom. Here’s how to make your own appear lived in, warm and inviting.

70 THE TABLE IS TOPS The table is usually the focal point of a dining room so make it gleam. Buy a handsome new runner or placemats. Use a centerpiece… instead of flowers, consider a bowl of fresh fruit or a large soup tureen.

71 DRESS THE WINDOW Hang a swag over a bare window to add warmth and some visual interest.

72 MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CHANDELIER The light it casts highlights your tabletop. Wipe the bulbs, wash the glass covers and dust it regularly.

COMFY BEDROOMS While potential buyers want kitchens to be spotlessly clean and efficient, they look for a little more softness, even a touch of romance, in the bedrooms.

73 SPLURGE ON NEW BED LINENS This is a relatively low-cost way to create a big visual effect. Concentrate on the part that shows and don’t forget throw pillows…they don’t need to be in an identical pattern, they just need to harmonize.

74 MAKE THE FLOORING SOFT Softness underfoot always conveys a feeling of comfort and refuge. Carpeting and area rugs are the most popular bedroom flooring. They are warm, easy to maintain and inviting to bare feet.

75 TONE DOWN KIDS’ ROOMS It’s easier than you think…you want buyers to see beyond the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and celebrity posters. By simplifying the décor, you will help those prospects imagine how they could use the room. For blemished walls, fill all nail and pin holes and repaint them if necessary. Avoid any décor on either side of any doors.

76 PUT AWAY KIDS’ TOYS Use clean plastic crates with lids. The kids can see their toys but they are out of sight to the buyers. Store these under a shelf or bed.

77 CLEAN OUT CLOSETS Of course people will look in them so do now what you’ll have to do anyway when you move. Jam-packed, messy closets will make people worry there isn’t enough storage space. Invest in a closet organizing system, pack out of season clothes away. Make the closets look as if there is room to spare.

LANDSCAPING MAGIC The wild look is out…at least when it comes to selling your home. Strive for neat, well-manicured and inviting outdoor spaces.

78 TRIM ALL HEDGES and SHRUBS Make certain that there is a clear path to the front door. Prune dead and low-hanging tree branches while you’re at it.

79 PLANT ANEW Replace overgrown, leggy foundation plantings that are typical of so many older homes. Landscaping adds to the charm of a home but can also date it with overgrown shrubs and unkept trees.

80 MEND FENCES Replace wobbly posts, mend broken sections and replace gate latches.

81 PLANT COLORFUL ANNUALS While neutral may be the byword on the interior, in the garden you can afford to be bold with color. A mass of red impatients looks dramatic in a shady spot, zinnias provide a pleasing riot of color in a sunny area.

82 INSTALL NEW MULCH OR PINESTRAW The plants and flowers will glow against a backdrop of fresh mulch.

83 SHOW WHAT THE GARDEN IS LIKE IN ALL SEASONS If you have established perennials or bulbs and it’s not their blooming season, have pictures available for the prospective buyers of what the yard looks like in other seasons.

84 DEMONSTRATE HOW THE YARD CAN BE USED Showcase an outside eating area with attractive outdoor furniture. Make certain that your outdoor furniture is clean; remove any rust and repaint. Invest in a new umbrella. Arrange two chairs invitingly under the shade of a tree or string a hammock between two trees.

85 ALLAY WORRIES ABOUT A POOL No, pools are not generally a selling point. Some people worry that it will be too expensive and time-consuming to maintain. Set the record straight by providing a fact sheet with all the pertinent details including specifications, warranty information, what’s involved in routine upkeep including utility and chemical costs.

86 PLANT A TREE Oak trees don’t grow overnight, of course, but you can get a professionally planted tree that’s a decent size…a quick way to beautify a barren landscape.

87 BANISH RUST Shiny swing sets are fine but deep-six any decrepit, rusty gym sets or lawn furniture.

GARAGES & PARKING Even when it comes to the more functional parts of your home, clean is beautiful!

88 REMOVE OIL STAINS Try a commercial degreasing liquid available at most hardware and home supply stores. If that doesn’t work, take a tip from “Fixing Your House to Sell” …make a thick paste of 1 part TSP (trisodium phosphate), 6 parts water and enough talcum powder to thicken…spread a ½-inch-thick layer on the stain and cover with plastic sheeting held down with duct tape…allow the paste to dry for 12 to 24 hours…scrape off then rinse with clean water. If you want the floor to look really great, roll on a coat of gray floor paint after cleaning.

89 NEATNESS COUNTS Yes, in the garage too. Install shelving to stack items off the floor. Purchase hard-plastic or wood storage cabinets designed to handle the weather and put all of your “stuff” behind closed doors. Install a bicycle rack for the kids parking. A neat and organized garage area says a lot.

GENERAL ITEMS You will never know what is important to a prospective buyer until it is too late to do anything about it so inspect your home and property as though you were a buyer and be critical… when in doubt, take care of it.

90 LOOK UP! Inspect ceilings and walls for cracked wall board, stains, splitting tape or nails popping out. A little time upfront will eliminate questions from the buyer about what is so wrong that these things would happen.

91 RING AROUND THE ROSIE… Take a stroll around the outside of your house. Take notice of any torn or missing screens and repair or replace. Clean any spider webs away. Look for peeling paint or chips in the siding or trim. Clean all the outside lights and replace bulbs with the highest wattage suggested.

92 A NICE SIGN MAKES A NICE IMPRESSION That’s right…buyers may judge you by the type of “For Sale” sign that you have or the quality of your marketing. Make sure that your marketing reflects the quality of your property.

93 YOU MAY NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE So make sure that you are prepared with all of the information that you may need to answer buyer’s questions. A notebook with all the pertinent information is a good idea. Include house plans, survey, utility bills, photographs, termite bond and your seller disclosure form.

94 SHOW and SELL! Turn off all appliances that make noise during the time that your home is being shown…you don’t want the prospective buyers to be distracted or annoyed by the TV, stereo, dishwasher, etc.

95 NOT EVERYONE LOVES FIDO…OR JUNIOR Keep pets and children away from the house during showings. Not everyone is an animal lover and not everyone enjoys your kids as much as Grandma…. again, you don’t want the prospective buyers to be distracted or annoyed by pets or children.

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