• Enhance drive-up appeal by removing clutter, cleaning stains off the driveway and touching up the exterior paint where needed.

• Remove dead and dying plants and consider adding color with hanging baskets or pots of flowers.

• A nicely trimmed and edged lawn always makes a good first impression.

• Maintain the home in ready-to-show condition with beds made, clutter removed, dishes put away and so forth. Then, you’re always ready for a showing as soon as you get the phone call. (It's not easy but it pays off!)

• Showcase your home as if you are receiving guests... turn on lights or open drapes, place flowers in vases, hang your best towels, light a fire in the fireplace if it’s cold outside, have scented vanilla candles burning and play soft background music.

• Sparkling clean windows let the sun shine through! People cannot see beyond clutter or messes, so dress your house to impress!

• Give carpets a good cleaning to remove stains and odors, or even re-carpet if you feel it’s appropriate. Use a carpet powder to deoderize before each vacuum session, especially if you have pets!

• Cracked or peeled paint and smudges on walls are easy fixes that, once taken care of, can give the home a fresh, new look.

• Keep pets outdoors to enhance the ease of your showing times.

• In some cases, silence can be golden. If you are present for the showing, it’s best to reserve comments until the buyer has left your home. Pretend you are going through looking at the house for the first time, and in the process you might catch things that need to be improved or enhanced. Some things are just such an easy fix but when we've been looking at them for ages, we just don't see them!

• For safety purposes, it’s wise to show the home to buyer only if the agent working with them is present. Too many people in the house at one time can lead to problems, and you should also put away your most valuable items such as jewelry and collectibles.

Call me if you would like me to tour your home and provide personal tips for getting ready for showings!

Wendy Pyper (503) 580-1466