Tips for selling your Sonoma county home

When I list your Sonoma county real estate, we will go through your house together. Meanwhile, here are some of my tips for you to think about. In doing this, we will be ahead of most of the sellers (our competition) already on the market in the way your home shows …

INSIDE

• Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of one, three or five items.
• Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. If it hasn’t been used for three months, put it away!
• Clear refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into your kitchen.)
• Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our own personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling, we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger.
• Take down, or rearrange certain pictures or objects on the walls.
• Patch and paint walls, as necessary.
• Paint any room needing paint.
• Clean carpets and/or drapes that need it.
• Clean windows.
• Make sure the closets and garage are not “too full”. Rent storage unit if necessary.
• Leave on certain lights during the day. (I’ll show you which ones.) During “showings” turn on all lights and lamps and open all blinds and drapes. (Let the light shine in!)
• Have stereo FM on during the day for all showings.
• Key Lock Box is of #1 importance: “IF WE DON’T HAVE IT, THEY WON’T SHOW US!”

OUTSIDE

Go around the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc., into the garage.

Check gutters and/or roof for dry rot. Make sure they are swept and cleaned.

Look at all plants . . .prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. “YOU CAN’T SELL A HOUSE IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT.” Plants are like children - - they grow so fast!!

Weed and then bark all planting areas. Keep lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove any dead plants or shrubs.

Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as small planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbecues, toys, etc.

Check paint condition of the house - - especially on the front door and trim. “CURB APPEAL REALLY WORKS!”

IN GENERAL

Try to look at your house “THROUGH THE BUYER’S EYES” as though you’ve never seen it or been there before. Any time or money spent on these items will bring you more money in return, and hopefully a faster sale. SPENDING A LITTLE CAN BRING YOU A LOT!

"WORKING TOGETHER, we make a Great Team!"