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. EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS Rake leaves, mow lawn, and keep the edges neat. Lawns and flower beds should be weeded regularly. Trees and shrubs should be pruned and trimmed. Remove old lawn mowers, tractors, disabled autos, broken lawn ornaments, topless tables, armless lawn furniture, and seatless chairs. These are reasons for a buyer to make a U-turn. Hoses should be coiled or placed inconspicuously when not being used, other garden equipment should be stored in some type of shelter when not in use. A yard should be free from unnecessary clutter. A place should be provided for children's toys and equipment. All animal litter should be removed daily. Ensure that garage doors open and close freely. House and garage doors should be free of finger marks. Wood surfaces should be kept painted, oiled or stained. Porches, steps, veranda, balconies, patios, and other extensions of the home must be uncluttered, clean, and in good repair. Shades and awnings that are in good repair with unfaded colors will improve the exterior appearance of the house. Keep garbage cans deodorized and out of sight or placed inconspicuously. Walkways and entrances should be well maintained and free from excess water, ice, or snow. Put some crushed rock on walkways and driveways that turn muddy in the rain and fill in any potholes. Keep gates, fences, walls, and outer buildings repaired and painted. Outdoor furniture should be kept clean. Firewood should be neatly stacked away from the house. Barbecue grills should be cleaned. Metal accessories (doorknobs, doorknockers, lamps etc.) need to cleaned and polished. Attach all down spouts to gutters and paint, if needed. Any loose shingles, tiles, etc. should be secured or repaired. Paint the front, back, and side entrance doors. Nothing looks worse than a pealing door. Ensure the mailbox is in good condition. If you are neither prepared to nor want to spend hundreds of dollars for exterior painting, be prepared to make an immediate and substantial price reduction. Re-point chimneys and brick or stone work if needed. If the roof leaks, FIX IT! Keep receipts and warranties. Trivial as some of the items may seem, these "little things that mean a lot" can make the difference between turning on or turning off the buyer you are looking for.   INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS Wash all windows inside and out. Curtains and drapes should be fresh and attractive. Open all drapes, pull up all shades, and let in the light. Put higher watt bulbs in all fixtures for better lighting. If you cannot get ride of stains in toilet bowl, buy a new one. This applies to all bathrooms, including the one in the basement that is seldom used. If possible, send all cats, dogs, parrots, hamsters, and the pet monkey to your brother-in-laws from the day the house goes on the market until the day it is sold. Remember to get rid of any odors that they left behind. Over fifty percent of home purchasers are either allergic to, afraid of, or simply dislike animals. Clean all rubbish out of all of the fireplaces, particularly the ones that have not been used in the last three years. Call a chimney sweep. Put two coats of off-white paint over the chartreuse, tangerine, purple, orange or any dark colored walls. Also if walls are dirty, one coat of white paint will work wonders. Remove every bit of grease from the inside of the oven and burner trays. Fix the front door bell, storm door, and front entry. (First impressions last!) Shampoo the carpets or carpeting. Put new washers in all dripping faucets. Throw away the torn shower curtain and put up a new one. Remove junk from the attic, basement, closets, and tool shed; have a great garage sale. Contribute whatever remains to the next trash pick-up. Organize closets. Turn off all blaring stereos and TV sets while the house is being shown. Soft music is more desirable. Water all dying plants or get rid of them. Adjust all doors, including closets, and windows so they can be opened and closed easily Dust, clean and scrub everything -- that means EVERYTHING -- from the attic to the basement. Replace broken tiles on walls or floors and re-paste loose or dangling wallpaper. Make the beds and keep all clothes out of sight. Keep the kitchen counter tops and sink clean and clear. Secure all banisters and handrails. Remove all posters and adhesives from walls and doors. Paint the basement floor and walls if needed. If the basement shows signs of any water or structural problems a structural engineer's report is suggested. If water pressure is bad, improve the plumbing system and piping to increase pressure throughout your home. Remove worn-out wall-to-wall carpeting, providing base floors are either hardwood or wide board if in fairly good condition. Buff and clean the floors. Replace carpeting with neutral colors if necessary. Remove excess extension cords and exposed wires to lamps, appliances, and computers. Replace all broken screens, cracked windowpanes, faulty light fixtures, loose basement stair steps, and anything else not in good working condition. Smile! These are probably the same things that have been on your "to do" list for a long time! Have a question or want more information? Please fill out the form below and we'll get back to you ASAP... . Hi - I would like... Your Name email address phone Then press the button (below) to send your request. Thanks! return to main page