SHOWING TIPS

OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME

OUTSIDE: Walk the property with a pad and pencil, List anything that you think is less than satisfactory without regard to cost or time. You can review the list afterwards to determine what you can and can't repair.

THE HOUSE: Take a close look as you walk the property. Clean anything that looks unkept or dirty; repair or replace anything that looks loose, dingy, rusted or broken. Make sure the door bell works. Replace a tired-looking mailbox; clean the exterior light fixtures and wash the windows. Try to spot hanging or rusty gutters, crooked antenna, loose shingles or shutters.

THE YARD: urn and weed the beds; trim the trees and shrubs; Lay in ground cover. Mend the fence, fix the gate latch. Pick up litter. Consider a landscaping/lawn service.

OUTDOOR FURNITURE: Examine and spot paint your outdoor furniture. If it's rusty or unrepairable consider disposing of the pieces.

FRONT ENTRY: It's the first thing your buyers see as they stand and wait for the door to open. It's worth the extra effort to spruce it up.

THE GARAGE: The time has come, Discard virtually everything in the garage that hasn't been used for a year; Wash it down.