The first impression is often the lasting impression. Did you know that potential buyers start forming their opinion before they even walk in the door? Smart Real Estate offers the following time-tested tips to make your home more presentable. Remember a good rule is to do cosmetic things which will improve your chances of selling, but avoid the major changes unless they will increase the value of your home more than the cost of the improvement.

Outside

• Keep lawn, shrubbery, and walkways tidy
• Cut back overgrown shrubbery that looks scraggly or keeps out light
• Paint if necessary
• Touch up front shutters and window frames
• Paint your mailbox a bright color
• Repaint front door
• Repair any broken outdoor steps
• Replace any missing shingles
• Make sure gutter and downspouts are in place
• Place flowers outside the front door

Living Areas

• Check all plaster
• Check ceilings for leak stains and fix if necessary
• Repair the ceiling and paint
• Dye faded curtains and bedspreads bright colors
• Prepare the fireplace for a new fire
• Wash windows
• Replace broken glass
• Mend torn screens
• Replace light bulbs with bright ones if possible
• Make the floors shine
• Straighten up the closets and get rid of excess items
• Use air freshener
• TIP: Rub paraffin against the surface of sticking doors that shows signs of wear or sliding door tracks
• TIP: Repair creaking floors by driving two long finishing nails at opposing angles through the floor and subfloor into the joist

Kitchen (the most important room)

• Make it bright and attractive
• Paint cabinets
• Put up perky new curtains if dull
• Clean the vent hood
• Keep the counter clear of appliances to make the room look larger
• TIP: Replace any loose floor tiles by softening the adhesive by applying heat with an iron covered by a soft cloth

Bathroom

• Repair dripping faucets
• Keep fresh towels in the bathroom
• Remove stains from toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and showers
• Unclog drains that drain too slowly

Garage, Attic, Basement

• Clean out garage, attic, and basement
• Package everything you will move
• Dispose of everything you do not want to move
• Make sure there is plenty of light on the basement and stairs
• Paint the ceilings and walls a light color if the basement is dark

When Your Home Is Being Shown

• Keep draperies and shades open to make rooms appear larger
• Turn on porch lights and outdoor lights in back at night
• Avoid clutter to make rooms look bigger
• Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters
• Keep any toys in the children’s rooms
• Keep radio, stereo, and TV off or turned down low
• Take your family away during an open house
• Keep children quiet
• Keep pets outdoors
• Allow the real estate expert to show your house
• Answer questions candidly, but don’t offer answers to unasked questions

Make your home more appealing for yourself and potential buyers with these quick and easy tips:

1. Trim bushes so they don’t block windows or architectural details.
2. Mow your lawn, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes before the showing to make the lawn sparkle.
3. Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch.
4. Install new doorknobs on your front door.
5. Repair any cracks in the driveway.
6. Edge the grass around walkways and trees.
7. Keep your garden tools and hoses out of sight.
8. Clear toys from the lawn.
9. Buy a new mailbox.
10. Upgrade your outside lighting.
11. Buy a new doormat for the outside of your front door.
12. Clean your windows, inside and outside.
13. Polish or replace your house numbers.
14. Place a seasonal wreath on your door.

1. Get at least three written estimates.
2. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed.
3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.
4. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.
5. Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.
6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.
7. Check that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.
8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will be involved too.
9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations.
10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.
11. Guarantee that the materials that will be used meet your specifications.
12. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work.