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Get estimates from a reliable repairperson on items that need to be replaced soon, such
as a roof or worn carpeting, for example. In this way, buyers will have a better sense
of how much these needed repairs will affect their costs.
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Have a termite inspection to prove to buyers that the property is not infested.
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Get a pre-sale home inspection so you'll be able to make repairs before buyers become
concerned and cancel a contract.
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Gather together warranties and guarantees on the furnace, appliances, and other items that
will remain with the house.
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Fill out a disclosure form provided by your sales associate.
Take the time to be sure that you don't forget problems, however minor, that might create
liability for you after the sale.
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10 Ways to Make Your House More Desirable
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Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most
of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.
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Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.
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Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax
floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first
impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.
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Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet
smells. Open the windows.
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Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially
basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
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Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors,
torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they'll give
buyers the impression that the house isn't well maintained.
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Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks.
Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.
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Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
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Clean your gutters.
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Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.
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20 Low-Cost Ways to Spruce Up Your Home
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Make your home more appealing for potential buyers with these quick and easy tips.
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Trim bushes so they don't block windows and cut down on light.
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Buy a new doormat.
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Put a pot of bright flowers on your porch.
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Put new doorknobs on your doors.
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Put a fresh coating on your driveway.
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Edge the grass around walks and trees.
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Keep your garden tools out of site.
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Be sure kids put away their toys.
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Buy a new mailbox.
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Upgrade the outside lighting.
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Use warm, incandescent light bulbs for a homey feel.
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Polish or replace your house numbers.
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Clean your gutters.
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Put out potpourri or burn scented candles.
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Buy new pillows for the sofa.
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Buy a flowering plant and put it in a window you pass by frequently.
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Make a centerpiece for your table with fruit or artificial flowers.
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Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.
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Buy new towels.
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Put a seasonal wreath on your door.
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7 Steps to Preparing for an Open House
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Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a
prospect faster than anything.
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Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
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Serve cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. But be sure
the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink doesn't fill up.
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Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although the real estate salesperson will
be on site during the open house, it's impossible to watch everyone all the time.
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Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle.
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Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that's not possible, crate them or
confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to
find them.
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Leave. It's awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their
opinions of your home with you there.
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5 Ways to Speed Up Your Sale
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Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property's realistic price range.
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Get your house market-ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.
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Be flexible about showings. It's often disruptive to have a house ready to show on
the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner
you'll find a seller.
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Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you'll find acceptable.
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Don't refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30
days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.
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Moving Tips for Sellers
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Give your forwarding address to the post office, usually two to four weeks ahead of the
move.
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Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of the
change of address.
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Develop a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified
of the move.
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Arrange to have utilities disconnected at your old home and connected at your new one.
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Cancel the newspaper.
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Check insurance coverage for moved items. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
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Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
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Note the weight of the goods you'll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed
according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
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Check with your condo or co-op about restrictions on using the elevator or particular
exits.
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Have a “first open” box with the things you'll need most - toilet paper, soap, trash
bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water,
snacks, and toothpaste.
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Plus, if you're moving out of town:
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Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.
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Get copies of children's school records for transfer.
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Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.
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Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.
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Let a friend or relative know your route.
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Carry traveler's checks or an ATM card for ready cash until you can open a bank account.
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Empty your safety deposit box.
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Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you're moving in cold weather.