Preparing your home for the selling season...

1. Replace Your Front Door-You may not even notice your front door anymore, but a new door makes a great impression on buyers. If your front door doesn’t need replacing you could always add new hardware for a similar impact. Replacing your garage door is another great idea if it is warn and beat up.

2. Rejuvenate Your Kitchen- Low cost ideas such as replacing hardware, adding a backsplash or giving it a new look with fresh paint can be very impressive to buyers.

3. Work on Your Lighting-Today’s buyers like bright, light rooms, so look around your home and see if you need to upgrade your lighting fixtures or add more.

4. Replace Your Window Treatments- A great low cost investment could be replacing old window treatments with new to give the room an inviting look.

5. Update Your Bathroom- You can make cost-effective minor upgrades. Replace your fixtures and your mirror, or repaint the space. While you’re there, redo the caulk around your tub and shower and replace the grout on your tile flooring.

Things to Remember Before a CLOSING....

Closing Checklist

* Pull these items prior to packing to leave on the counter top in the home packet.
- garage door opener
- manuals
- copy of restrictions if subdivision 
- any tips you have on the house are always appreciated by the buyers

* Bring keys to closing (including any special keys to mail box etc.)

* Call insurance company to cancel coverage on your present home and secure coverage on your new home

* Call your real estate agent the day of closing to check on any updates

* Remember to bring valid photo ID to the closing

* Remember to ask ANY questions you may have...at any time. Fully understand what is going on and understand every document before you sign!

10 Low-Cost Ideas to Make Your Home More Saleable

1. Take away clutter...Pack away what you will not need during the "in between" time.

2. Welcome the potential buyer with a new doormat. Put potted flowers on the porch, and make sure the entry floor is clean. First impressions always count.

3. Stimulate the buyer's interest by "setting the stage". Use anything available to make the potential buyers feel "at home". Lighting the fireplace and placing fresh flowers on a coffee table are just a couple ideas.

4. Make sure the house smells fresh. Use the sense of smell to your advantage by doing things such as putting cedar chips in closets, using carpet freshener, and having potpourri throughout the house.

5. Create a spacious feeling. Make sure all entrances to rooms have an open flow, and clean out the entry closet so that your buyer can visualize their possessions there.

6. Make the most of all views. Disguise unsightly views. Make sure all windows are crystal clean and clear.

7. Create counter space. Store away extra appliances. Put away dish racks, and soap dishes. Decrease kitchen and remove magnets from the refrigerator.

8. Avoid eccentric decor. De-personalize rooms and remove anything that wont appeal to the masses.

9. Increase wattage in light bulbs in the laundry room, bathrooms, and the kitchen. For showing, turn on all lights....and try NOT to be present.

10. Put photos of family enjoying your home in at least three different places.