Spring is here in Cincinnati and we’re coming into one of the busiest seasons for real estate. With so many people getting ready to list their homes for sale I thought I would repost Comey’s handy “Preparing Your Home for Sale” reminder sheet.

As a home seller it is important to remember that not everyone has the same taste in home décor. You need to view your home through a “buyer’s eyes.” Our goal will be to make the home appeal to the masses. Here are some simple things you can do to improve the value of your home and help ensure a quicker sale:

Exterior

• Mow the lawn and trim the trees and shrubs away from the house.  You can’t sell a house that can’t be seen.  Rake the leaves; remove dead plants, flowers and shrubs.
• Put tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys ets. neatly in the garage.
• Clean windows and front door.  Paint if needed.  Polish brass trim.
• Seal or resurface the driveway.

Interior

• Use bright light bulbs in foyer fixture.
• Clean woodwork, carpeting, windows.
• If necessary, paint walls a light neutral color.

Living Room

• Remove extra furniture that can make the room look smaller/cluttered.
• Clear away magazines, books, and unnecessary objects.
• Add lamps if the room is dark.

Kitchen

• Thoroughly clean the oven.
• Clean all appliances inside and out.
• Wax and polish the floor.
• Remove pictures, magnets and reminders from the refrigerator door.
• Clear off the countertops.

Family Room

• Clean the fireplace
• Consider replacing the carpeting if it’s color is not neutral
• Remove warn furnishings

Bathrooms

• Put things away!  Make every bathroom look like a guest bathroom.
• Make sure all fixtures are immaculate.
• Fix leaky faucets, rust stains, and plumbing that may squeak or bind.
• Caulk and grout tile.  Bleach discolored grout.

Master Bedroom

• Keep in mind that after the kitchen, the master bedroom is the next most important room in the house.
• Furnish the room simply.
• Pack away off-season clothes to make the closets appear roomier.

Children’s Bedrooms

• Remove all posters, clothes and clutter.
• Patch and paint the walls if necessary.
• Open the curtains and shades.

Garage

• The perfect garage contains only cars!  If this is not possible clean up and toss out unneeded items.
• Clean and seal the cement floor.
• Clean and organize shelf areas.