Clean windows make a home seem bigger and brighter and add tremendously to a home’s “show-ability”. If sun screens are missing, have them repaired, you can bet the buyer will request them. If the climate is right, you may consider storing the sun screens and allowing the natural light to flow in.

Make certain all your light fixtures are working and turn on all the lights when showing the home (night or day). It makes the home much more welcoming and bright.

Neat closets appear larger and keep buyers from wondering if they might be too small. Pack up as much as possible and leave as much empty space as possible. (And don’t forget to dust the shelves.)

Each one will be closely inspected. If you do nothing else, repair caulking, fix leaks and make sure everything sparkles and smells clean.  Staging will go along way in a bathroom. Set out the guest towels, put away the magazine racks and set attractive candle holders or silk plants on the counter to make it look like a model home.

Remove excess furniture and decorations and use attractive, freshly laundered bedspreads and window coverings to make these rooms more inviting. Make sure that the paint is neutral and the room is always clean and smells fresh.

Creaking doors, loose handles, sticking windows, dirty wallpaper, worn woodwork, and faded walls all reduce buyer appeal. A little money spent in fixing these things will keep you from trying to convince the buyer how it could actually look, and result in a quicker sale at a higher price. HGTV will show you that buyers have NO vision… do the small stuff before they see your home, and they won’t thing something as minor as needing new paint is a “fixer-upper”

Keep the carpet vacuumed, the floors washed and remove any clutter from the floors and stairways. Your home will show better and there will be no unfortunate accidents.

Keep them out of the way- outside is best. If you can pretend you don’t have them, you are more likely to be able to sell your home faster. Too often I run into a buyer so deathly afraid of dogs, or deathly allergic to cats, that they will not even so much as look at a home with them. Keep all signs of pets OUT of the photos and try to accommodate as best as possible for showings, inspections and appraisals.

Loud music or blaring televisions detract from everything you have done to make your home inviting. Light some candles, set out cookies or set soothing music to play on your tv while buyers tour the home. The inviting ambiance will make the buyer feel more comfortable and more ‘at home’… and isn’t that what you want?

Don’t have too many people present during a showing. A potential buyer may feel like an intruder and hurry though the house. Be courteous, but don’t force conversation with the potential buyer. They want to inspect your home, not make friends. If they have questions they will ask their agent, who will ask your agent… you see where this is going.

Show your home to prospective buyers by appointment through your agent. Let your Realtor discuss price, terms, possession and the other details with the buyer. Your Realtor has negotiated many contracts. Allow them to use their expertise to get the most favorable conclusion on your behalf. If you are needed, your Realtor will include you.