• Be priced right
• Be marketed powerfully
• Be presented in the best possible light

Merchandise Your Home
You are responsible for merchandising your home, helped by the sound advice of your Realtor. If you plan to spend any money to improve your home, the front is usually the most critical. “Curb appeal” is one of the most important presentations to consider. A home that is appealing from the street will attract more buyers into it. Many buyers will not even venture into a home if they do not like it when they arrive.

The following is a list of tips for merchandising your home to attract the greatest volume of quality buyers. Read it all, or zero in on what interests you most:

Offer a Home Warranty
A Home Warranty protects both you and the Buyer from problems with the major systems of the home. The warranty is free to you, the Seller, throughout the listing period. A fee (usually between $250 -$400) is then taken at Escrow to pay for the warranty. Home warranties are typically valid for a period of one year after the sale of your home and cover items such as the stove/range, electrical system, hot water heater, heating system, roof, plumbing, refrigerator, and other large items (items such as a hot tub, pool, etc. are optional).

For example, if the oven stops working only a week after the new buyers move in, the buyer will have the repairs covered by the warranty. Many buyers feel a lot more comfortable about a transaction (particularly in the case of older homes) if their purchase is covered by a Home Warranty. It can also protect the Seller in the event that something goes wrong soon after closing and the Buyer alleges that the problem may have been concealed by the Seller.

To get a free copy of a Home Warranty application, please contact us.

Clean Up and Clear Out
Prospective buyers are looking for a home that they - and their furnishings - can move right into. To that end, you can best prepare your home for sale by putting your home in move-in condition and neutralizing your décor.

Some of the most effective merchandising efforts are projects you can do yourself, at virtually no cost.

• Thorough Cleaning
  Every room and window in your home should be kept squeaky clean.

• The Nose Knows
  Rid your home of scents such as pet odors and smoke. Clean litter boxes and eliminate cigarette stubs, then clean carpets and wash walls thoroughly. Add pleasant aromas with candles, boiling a pot of cinnamon sticks or putting a dab of vanilla on cold light bulbs.

• Organize and Sort
  Remove half of the items stored in closets and cabinets and sell, toss or give away items you don’t use. Also consider storing out-of-season items and excess furniture as a way of clearing your home.

• Prep Work
  The key to a quality paint job is adequate preparation; it’s important to patch holes, scrape peeling paint, sand the surface and, if necessary, put on a primer coat. Choose a premium-quality paint; the difference in results far exceeds the difference in cost.

• Choosing Colors
  For broader appeal among prospective buyers, paint walls and ceilings in light neutral colors such as beige, cream, or gray (try to avoid stark white - some people find it too “stale”). These colors suggest newness and cleanliness and can really brighten a dull or outmoded room. Taupe or beige works especially well for giving a warm feeling to rooms in the Northwest. Try visiting some new construction sites to see what colors local builders have found popular with buyers.

• A Cure for the Gloom
  If a room seems too gloomy, you might consider using a semi-gloss paint. It will help reflect light and make the room feel brighter. A fresh coat of paint can even breathe new life into kitchen cabinets and appliances.

• Leaking Information
  If you have repaired a leaky roof, patch and paint the ceiling. A water-marked ceiling is a signal to prospective buyers that the roof leaks - or has leaked at one time. However, don’t paint to hide a problem; always fix first and then paint.

• Clean carpets and vacuum often.
• Check for hardwood floors beneath the carpeting. You may be able to pull up the carpeting and refinish or simply clean and wax the floors to create a classic, new look.
• It is possible to repaint a vinyl floor that has an outdated look (as long as it is free of holes and dents).
• Repair cracked or broken tiles.
• Make use of neutral-color area rugs to diminish the impact of flooring beneath.

• Operation Clean Hands
  Repair leaky faucets or freshen sinks by installing new faucets. If the sinks are slightly scratched or the colors are outdated, consider re-enameling or simply replacing them.

• Let There be Light - Lots of it!
  Brighten the lighting in your home by modernizing dated fixtures and switchplates. Replace existing bulbs with the highest-wattage bulbs allowed for the fixture. Consider brightening dark areas with easy-to-add strip lighting, under-counter lighting, and reading lamps.

• A Window on the World, A Door of Perception
  Windows, screens and doors will not escape the meticulous eyes of buyers. Besides cleaning windows and doors, you will want to repair cracked panes, torn screens, broken sashes, ropes and cords. Doors and window frames may need a fresh coat of paint or varnish.