Showing Tips For Your Home

Once you have decided to put your home on the market, try to view it from a buyer’s prospective. Here are six helpful steps to give you home a winning look:

1. Keep it clean. A good cleaning and fresh paint create the impression that your home has been well-cared for.
2. Keep it uncluttered. It will be neater and look larger. You want to convey a spacious feeling.
3. Keep it repaired. Fix it before the buyer inquires about it; the need for repairs can affect a potential sale.
4. Keep it neutral. Eliminate distracting colors and personal accessories; neutral colors and simple decor can help someone visualize their own belongings in a room.
5. Keep it dynamic. Make your home memorable! From fresh flowers to fresh clean smells, you home should be inviting.
6. Show time. Make a final check of every room. Keep toys, clothes, food and other items picked-up.

The Small Details

With the key steps in mind, take a specific inventory of your home.

Outside

• Trim, weed and tidy up lawn/garden
• Clean up pet areas; resod or seed
• Repair screens, windows and doors
• Add fresh bark under shrubs
• Add potted or hanging flowers to deck or porch

The Garage

• Clean and deodorize areas where pets sleep or spend time
• Straighten tools, shop and laundry areas
• Sweep floors and clean up grease spots

Living Room/Family Room

• Open the shades and draperies to let in light
• Rearrange furniture for openness
• Spot clean carpets or rugs
• Apply neutral paint or wallpaper
• Use flowers and potpourri

Kitchen

• Clear away unused small appliances
• Remove stains from sink
• Straighten memo areas and remove papers
• Clean and deodorize vent or exhaust hood

The Bathroom

• Clean counters and store extra toiletries
• Remove stains and mold from sink, tub or shower
• Patch, caulk and grout as needed
• Put out attractive “for-show-only” towels

The Bedroom

• Straighten up closets
• Box and store surplus clothing and shoes
• Arrange toys to look appealing
• Add curtains or valences to rooms without them
• Remove attention-getting posters

The Small Details
Showing Tips For Your Home
Reprinted from the Los Angeles Times 4/01

South Bay Brokers, Inc.
1640 So. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 375-0583
(310) 375-9616 Fax
2501 No. Sepulveda Blvd., 2nd Floor
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 546-7611
(310) 545-0515 Fax