Fredericton Real Estate

FIRST IMPRESSIONS really count with homebuyers. A SMALL investment in your time and effort can provide a BIG advantage when a prospective buyer visits your home. If you have any questions call Frankie at 476-2155

HERE ARE SOME HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME.

1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS FROM THE CURB
 House exterior in good repair, if necessary wash the siding.
 House number easy to see
 Eaves troughs, down spouts, and soffits in good repair (painted)
 Garage/carport clean and tidy
 Cracked or broken windowpanes replaced
 Well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs, raked leaves in autumn, and have your driveway clear of snow and ice in winter.

2. AT THE FRONT DOOR:
 Doorbell works
 Door hardware in good repair; you may be used to wiggling the lock to get it open but others may find it difficult.
 Foyer/entrance clean & tidy

3. INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
 Tidy the living room, bathroom, bedrooms & kitchen
 Consider some minor repairs if woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading
 Prospective buyers can easier see how great it can look, rather than how great it “would look”
 Wash the windows, inside and out.
 Touch up chipped paint
 Replace burned out bulbs
 Squeaky doors oiled
 Organize closets – remember the buyers are looking for storage space. It may be time to box up unwanted clothes, toys, etc.
 Basements should be clean and free of unnecessary items.

3. KITCHEN
 Sinks & taps cleaned and polished
 Appliance cleaned
 Countertops cleared and polished
 Inside of cupboards and cabinets clean & neat
 Small appliance put away
 Clutter put away
 Again – Pack up any unwanted or unused items.

4. BATHROOMS
 Kitchens & bathrooms sell homes, so make them shine!
 Mirrors, taps & fixtures cleaned
 Leaky taps & toilets repaired
 Seals around tubs & basins in good repair
 Floor cleaned, wastebaskets emptied
 Inside of cupboards & cabinets cleaned
 Towels cleaned (for extra WOW buy new ones to put out for showings)
 Put away clutter. If possible, leave nothing out on the vanity or counter.
 Again: Now is the time to throw away all those toiletries you don’t use anymore.

5. CREATING A BUYING ATMOSPHERE
 Have all the lights turned on – even on the brightest days
 Let the sun shine in! Pull back all the curtains, open blinds so the buyer can see how bright your home is
 Light your fireplace or have a warm woodstove going in winter.
 Turn your heat up to 70 for showings in winter, especially if you keep your house cool. Buyers want to feel the warmth!
 Turn off TV. If you have a stereo, play only soft music at a low volume.
 Freshly vacuum carpets just before a showing.
 Fresh flowers always create a warm atmosphere
 Make sure your home smells clean. The first thing a buyer notices about a home is its smell. Make sure you air it out prior to showings.
 Do not close bedroom doors; leave all rooms open for inspection, even the storage room. Buyers hesitate to open a closed door.
 Make sure all beds are made and clothes picked up and put away.
 An inexpensive comforter or bedspread can spruce up a bedroom and give it a nice crisp, clean feeling

9. WATCH YOUR PETS
 Pets should be absent or contained during showings.
 Always freshen up the kitty litter.
 Don’t assume that your dog won’t bother anyone; all dogs try to protect the house.

8. VALUABLES
 Jewelry and valuables should be locked safely away, in a drawer, out of sight, or taken with you.
 Safely situate valuable objects of art, vases, figurines etc.
 Remember, some buyers bring children along and although the realtor is with them at all times, accidents do happen.

9. KEEP A LOW PROFILE
 Buyers are more comfortable if the seller is not at home. We want the buyer to feel that they are not intruding on your space so they will feel more at ease and not “run” through your home.
 We want them to give your home the attention it deserves.

Thank you for taking the time to read through these helpful tips. Together we aim to make this an enjoyable experience.