Dressing Up Your Home

Sixty seconds is all you have to create a good first impression. Here are detailed ways on how you can make your home attractive to potential buyers.

Outside the house:

• Cut the grass and make sure it stays that way. Make the yard look neat by taking away clutter.
• Pull out the weeds and put fresh mulch to flower beds.
• Wooden fences must be painted new.
• Make sure door handles are tight and clean.
• Windows should be cleaned inside and out.
• Powerwash the home's exterior
• Gutters and downspouts should be firmly attached and functioning.
• Paint the front door.
• Put a new welcome mat.
• Place potted flowers near the front door.

Inside the house:

• Look at the furnitures in each room. Remove anything that looks "off" or anything that disrupts the design/theme. Take out any furniture that makes the room look smaller. Rent a storage unit if you have to.

• Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves.

• Inspect light fixtures and ceiling fans. Make sure they're clean and functional.

• Wash the carpets.

• Take away too many "personal stuff"; including wall hangings and knick-knacks.

• Inspect plumbing system to make sure they're not leaking; and if so, have them fixed.

• Repair torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking.

• Clean and repaint if necessary walls and ceilings.

• Replace worn cabinet and door knobs.

• Replace discolored grout.

• Replace broken tiles and worn countertops.

Additional details for showings:

• Turn on all the lights.
• Open drapes and shutters during the day.
• If you have pets, secure them outside.
• Use new towels for bathrooms.
• Use new beddings for bedrooms.
• Replace old lamps or lampshades.
• Play soft background music.
• Light the fireplace.
• Use a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.

• Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner.

• Do not stay in the house while it is being shown.