20 tips to help your home sell...
more quickly and at a better price.

• 1. First impressions are important
• Remember, when a prospect comes to look at your house, the first thing he will see is your home's front door! Be sure that it is fresh, and clean. Be sure your lawn and landscaping is well manicured and trim looking. Be sure your yard is free of refuse and leaves. If it snowed, be certain that you've removed the ice and snow from walk and steps.
• 2. What you show is what you get
• Faded walls and worn woodwork will reduce the appeal of your home. Why try to tell a prospect how your home could look... When you can show him by a reasonable amount of redecoration? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. Invest in wallpaper in the kitchen or bathroom. It will pay dividends for you.
• 3. Let the sun shine in
• Open those drapes and curtains all the way, so the prospect can see how bright and cheerful your home is.
• 4. Fix that leaky faucet
• Since dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.
• 5. Little things mean à lot
• Take a few minutes to check to be sure that your doors don't stick or have loose knobs on them. Don't forget your windows and cabinet drawers. Get all those minor flaws fixed since they detract from your home's value.
• 6. Safety first and always
• Keep stairways clear and clean since this will avoid injuries around your home, as well as avoid detracting by distraction.
• 7. From top to bottom
• Display your attic, basement, and other utility space (including crawl spaces) by removing all unnecessary articles. A coat of paint can do wonders if your basement is dark and dreary.
• 8. Big closets
• Make them look bigger by having them neat and well organized to show that your home has ample closet space.
• 9. Bathrooms sell homes...
• Make these rooms sparkle! Check and repair any damaged or discolored caulking in the bathtubs and showers, and be sure that the towels and area rugs are bright.
• 10. Bedrooms shouldn't sleep...
• Keep these rooms bright and cheerful. Remove any excess furniture and be sure and use attractive and colorful bedspreads, and fresh curtains.

• 11. Shine on...
• Your home's illumination can be a "welcome" sign to that prospective buyer! Turn on all of your outside and inside light when showing your home at night and he'll feel a glowing warmth as a result of your lighting.
• 12. Two's a couple & three's a crowd
• Don't have too many people present during a home inspection, since the potential buyers will feel like an intruder and want to hurry through your house.
• 13. Music soothes the savage beast
• But not the potential buyer. When showing your house, turn off that blaring radio or television. Let your RE/MAX® agent and buyer talk freely and not be distracted.
• 14. Curb your dog
• A dog is "man's best friend", but not when showing your home. Keep all pets out of the way and not underfoot.
• 15. Silence is golden
• Be courteous and friendly, but don't try to "force" conversation with a potential buyer. He's there to inspect your home.
• 16. Be it ever so humble
• There's no place like your home. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. If any objections or derogatory comments are offered, let the experienced RE/MAX® salesman answer them? that is his job.
• 17. Stay in the background
• Your RE/MAX® agent knows the buyer's needs and desires and can better emphasize the virtues of your home when you're not "tagging along". If there are any questions, he will call you.
• 18. Don't put the cart before the horse...
• Trying to sell the prospective purchasers any of the furniture or furnishings which you're not taking with you, before they've purchased your home, can often lose the sale... so "cool it".
• 19. A word to the wise
• Let your RE/MAX® salesman discuss the selling price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer. He's been trained and has experience, so let him bring your negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.
• 20. Go ahead and use our salesman
• We recommend that we show your home to prospective customers only by appointment through our office. This will be sincerely appreciated and will help us make the sale more quickly.