Ideas and Suggestions to help you sell for more $$

GENERAL

• Make those minor repairs - no matter how minor.
• Whatever the season, do some spring cleaning.
• Have a yard sale or pack away in boxes those items that clutter.
• Create the illusion of spaciousness.
• Give your rooms a light, bright look. Use colour and lighting to draw attention to your homes best selling features.
• Disguise unsightly views- remove heavy curtains, let the light in.
• Eliminate unpleasant odors. Avoid eccentricities- remove those beaded curtains!
• Accessories can make or break a room- avoid clutter.
• Display photos that show your home during other seasons.

YOUR HOME'S FRONT DOOR AND PORCH

• Create a welcoming spot in colour- flower pot, paint front door.
• Invest in a new doormat.
• Open curtains, have sparkling windows.

YOUR HOME'S ENTRY HALL

• Create a dramatic focal point - e.g.., flowers, poinsettia, antiques.
• Add spaciousness with a well placed mirror.
• Improve floor appearance here, if nowhere else (except kitchen).
• Clean out your coat closet.
• Create the illusion of an entry hall if you have none-narrow table, open bookcase, railing, its own lighting area.

YOUR HOME'S LIVING ROOM AND FAMILY ROOM

• Treat these rooms as if they were stage settings-games room suggests good family life, a guitar is warm, a dictionary, half finished crossword puzzle- let the buyer imagine living in your home.
• Highlight your fireplace, decorating the mantle or above with picture.
• Improve traffic flow in these rooms.
• Draw attention to exposed beams or a cathedral ceiling.
• Don't let the TV dominate or be the focal point of the room.

YOUR HOME'S DINING ROOM OR DINING AREA

• Set the scene by setting the table and add a centerpiece.
• Make a large dining room into, say, a dining room and a small library or add a desk.
• Visually enlarge a small dining area-remove leaves, place against wall, remove extra side chairs or large pieces.

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YOUR HOME'S KITCHEN

• Use props to set the scene- open cookbook, basket of eggs, bunch of carrots on a cutting board, ceramic mixing bowl with whisk, etc.
• Make it smell great- simmer Christmas brew, bake bread, bowl of lemons, fresh coffee, cinnamon sticks etc.
• Expand your counter space, store small appliances, use a moveable cart.
• Create more storage space-neat organized shelves, hanging pot rack.
• Accent kitchen windows-plants, bird feeder outside window.
• Make small kitchen appear larger-repaint #000000 (walls recede), light curtains, mirror.
• Highlight an eat-in area, set the table, fruit as a centerpiece.
  
  

YOUR HOME'S LAUNDRY ROOM

• Make it cheerful and appealing.
• Double duty- corner table or chair, sewing area, set the stage.

YOUR HOME'S STAIRWAYS

• Make them safe- lighting, clutter-free, rail, carpet or runners secure?
• Add visual interest- plant stand on landing, wallpaper can narrow.
• Improve appearance of stair treads, clean or paint.

YOUR HOME'S BEDROOMS

• Create a master bedroom "suite" effect ("Large is Better")- avoid busy patterns, small desk, chair with lamp, etc.
• Tackle your closets, clear clutter, clear floor, organize shelves, smell.
• Add storage boxes under the bed if you need more storage.
• Depersonalize your teenagers rooms- at your own risk!

YOUR HOME'S BATHROOMS

• Create a look- plants, glass bowl of shells, pictures, fresh towels, magazine rack, etc.
• Colour- grey and rose, all #000000- add some accent colours.
• Invest in a new shower curtain and/or bath mat.
• Improve (not replace) your floor covering, scrub and clean.
• Put out fresh towels and soap.
• Add a pretty dish of potpourri.

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YOUR HOME'S BASEMENT

• Make it as pleasant as possible- erase all signs of dampness or mildew.
• Increase wattage of all bulbs to brighten up.
• Set it up as a games room or teen room -Ping-Pong table, bright posters.
• Highlight a workbench area, dust, clean and organize.

YOUR HOME'S DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE

• Fix up driveways for first impression impact.
• Enlarge and improve appearance of garage with lights, clear floor, organized shelves.

YOUR YARD

• Avoid an overgrown, unkempt look- prune, cut lawn, edge carefully.
• Chris property boundaries if fences or lines don't exist.
• Use flowering plants to dress up your yard.
• Draw attention to special trees- flowers at base to draw eye in.
• Play up flat areas- badminton set or volleyball net.
• Set up a backyard living/dining area- picnic table or rocking chairs.
• Let your pool help sell your home- clean, open earlier or close later, if winter, have photo of pool in summer, draw up a pool information sheet including costs, upkeep time, installation date, pool size and pool items included with your home.