When you're preparing to sell a home in the Sarasota real estate market, in today's market its very important that the home "shows extremely well".  The following suggestions will help you present your home to its maximum advantage:

INSIDE YOUR HOME

• Remove all unnecessary objects and furniture throughout the home.  Keep decorative items to a minimum.
  
• Clear all unnecessary items from kitchen counter tops.  Remove refrigerator magnets and photos.  A clean and neat kitchen will look bigger than it is.
  
• Remove all unnecessary items from all other rooms.  Less furniture and clutter makes a room seem larger.  Remember the last model home you were in?  Remember how little furniture was in each room?
  
• Remove most personal photos.  We want prospective buyers to mentally "see themselves living in your home."  Your family's personal items make it harder for them to do that.
  
• Clean carpets, drapes & windows.  Repaint when necessary in light neutral colors.   This will remove any sense that the prospective buyer's furnishings and decor will not work in your home.
  
• Install one size larger light bulbs and leave all lamps and lights on during showings.  Brighter rooms look and feel larger.
  
• Have your FM stereo on playing soft music during showings.  It helps prospective buyers relax during a stressful time.
  
• Allow your Realtor to put a lockbox on the property.  Some agents won't bother to show a home where they have to arrange to meet someone at the home.
  
• If you have pets, make sure your listing agent puts a notice with your listing in the multiple listing service. If you know someone is coming, it is best to take the pets with you while the prospective home buyers tour your home. If you cannot do that, It is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard and indoor cats in a specific room and put a warning sign on the door.
• Consider having a "pre-sale" home inspection conducted.  You may want to read this recent blog article suggesting that Home Inspections Are Not Just for Home Buyers anymore.
• When considering aesthetic improvements other than just painting and cleaning, your decision should depend on local market conditions. The question to ask yourself (and your Realtor ®) is: What improvements are needed to be competitive in this market now.
  
  While not fixing up appropriately is a problem, over-improving can also be an issue. Buyers usually want to buy the least expensive home in the most expensive neighborhood they can afford. The result is that a home with too many improvements may be priced at the top of the local market, not the best place to be for the best sale result.

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

    Remember that the Buyer's first and most lasting impression of your home will be what they see as they drive up.   It's called "Curb Appeal."

• Remove everything outside your home that doesn't need to be there.  if you can, move garbage cans, etc. into your garage. If the property is a condominium, make sure any exterior furniture on the patio or deck is in perfect condition.
  
• Where appropriate, check your gutters and roof for leaks, damage or peeling paint. Get the repairs done before the home is shown for the first time.
  
• Your front door is the first thing a prospective buyer will see up close so paint the front door and put down a new doormat.  Make sure the doorbell works and is in good shape.
  
• Make sure your front door key and lock work properly.  If the Realtor® has trouble opening the door, it tells the prospective buyer to look for other signs that the home has not been well-maintained.
  
• If its a private home, mow the grass and fertilize it to make it as green as possible.  Keep the lawn neatly edged.  Prune your bushes & trees so they don't block windows.  Put down fresh mulch.  Keep the driveway and walks swept clean.
  
• If the garage door is visible from the street, make sure the garage door is down whenever the home is being shown.
  

If you'd like more information on the role of a Listing Agent, you may wish to review my description of the Role of a Listing Agent Realtor.

For information on my services to home or condo buyers in the Sarasota real estate market, please either E-Mail Me, use my Free Market Value Analysis Request form or call me directly at (941) 308-6752 or toll-free at (800) 966-2334.