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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.
Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online [2006] with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. |
