Showing your home:

• Make your home look bright and cheerful by opening the drapes and shades.


• Keep the carpets are clean. The kitchen and bathrooms should sparkle. Tidy up each room. Pick up toys, shoes and other items that may be scattered about. Keep dishes out of sight. Be sure the beds are made, and clothes are put away in closets and drawers. Remove items from the floors of walk-in closets so buyers can have easy access. Remove stains from toilets, tubs and sinks.


• Keep pets out of the way, and make sure the pet areas are clean and odor-free. Place solid deodorizer in each room and closet. Store out-of-season clothes so the closets don't have that cluttered look.


• Turn off your television. Soft music on the radio can be appealing, but keep it low.


• Secure jewelry, cash and other valuables. You may want to consider placing these items in a safety deposit box while your property is on the market.


• Paint the rooms that really look fingerprinted, worn or faded.


• Fix any dripping faucets. Perhaps only a washer is needed.


• Replace old caulking around the bath and sinks.


• Spray lubricant on all squeaking doors, windows, closets and cabinets.


• Vacuum the garage and rafters.


• Avoid too many appliances on the kitchen counter. Maximize counter space.


• Pre-pack items that may clutter your home and make your rooms appear smaller.


• Clean your home from top to bottom. A professional cleaning service can do this for you.


• Wash windows.


• Clean fans and ventilating hoods.


• Clean and polish floors.


• Mow and edge the lawn more often during the marketing period.


• Trim all shrubbery and remove low-lying tree limbs.


• Fertilize your lawn to make grass look lush and green.


• Replace downed shutters, gutters and down-spouts and clean debris out of them.


• Paint any trim that is blistering.


• Plant flowers in the front yard.


• Repaint or re-stain the front door to create a pleasant impression.


• Trust the sales agent to show your property to its best advantage. Potential buyers may talk more freely and feel more at home if the owners are not present.

Save the business cards of sales agents who show your property so that Randy can follow up and get the comments of their showings.