Preparing Your Home
 

First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it’s fresh, clean, and scrubbed looking. Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse. Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look, when you can show him by redecorating? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. An investment in new kitchen wallpaper will pay off.  Let the sun shine in.  Open drapes and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be.  Fix that faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and can suggest faulty plumbing. Repairs can make a big difference.  Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and minor flaws detract from home value.  From top to bottom.  Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles.  Brighten dark, dull basements. Using paint and high wattage bulbs. Safety First Keep stairways clear to avoid possible injuries and cluttered appearances.  Make closets look bigger.  Organized and clean closets show that there is ample space. Bathrooms help sell homes.  Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make the bathroom sparkle.  Arrange bedrooms neatly.  Remove excess furniture. Use attractive bedspreads and freshly cleaned curtains.  Can you see the light?  Illumination is a welcome sign to a potential buyer. Turn on all the lights for an evening showing.

Showing Your Home
 

Three’s a crowd.	Avoid having too many people present during showings. The potential buyer may feel like an intruder and hurry through the house.
Music is mellow.	But not when showing a house. Turn off the music or television. Let the realtor and buyer talk, free of disturbances.
Pets underfoot?	Keep them out of the way, preferably out of the house.
Silence is golden.	Be courteous but don’t force conversation with the potential buyer. He or she probably wants to inspect your house, not pay a social visit.
Be it ever so humble.	No need to apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in.
Let the realtor answer any questions.	The realtor knows the buyer’s requirements and can emphasize the features of your home that best match their needs.
Why put the cart before the horse?	Trying to dispose of furniture to the potential buyer before he has purchased the house may lose a sale.
Don’t tag along when your house is being shown.	Let the realtor do their job by assessing the potential buyer and selling your home.
A word to the wise.	Let your realtor discuss price, terms, and other factors with the customer. Your realtor is qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion and you do ever 5 or 10 years, they live and breath the stuff.
Use your realtor.	Take advantage of your realtor’s expertise and qualifications. Ask him any questions when you are not sure.

Colleen Yaklich, REALTOR® Shankle Real Estate 261 Webster Street, Monterey, CA 93940 Telephone  (831) 682-8916    Fax  (831) 540-4108   eMail: colleen@yaklich.com Licensed in CA, USA DRE Lic: 01001845