Cincinnati Real Estate

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.