Preparing Your Home for Sale

Exterior Of Your Home: The condition of your home's exterior is most important when it comes to Buyer appeal. Remember, it's usually your first impression so make sure it's a good one!

• Make sure your house numbers are easy to read.
• Lights on timers help to ensure that your home is lit up after sunset
• Eaves, troughs, and downspouts need to be clear/clean and in good repair
• Clean and tidy up your garage/carport. Reduce clutter to maximize space
• Have any trash/litter picked up in the yard
• Cracked or broken window panes need to be repaired. (See Nicole's referral page for a contact! )
• Doorbell and door hardware need to be in good repair
• Touch up trim paint on doors and window frames
• Mow, edge and weed your yard to keep it looking great!
• Overgrown shrubbery should be cut back to show of your home
• Seasonal flowers or potted plants on a front porch/back patio help jazz up your home
• Inspect the roof for any loose/missing shingles (See Nicole's referral page for a contact!)
• Stucco water stains should be repaired by using a mild bleaching agent
• Fences should be mended and painted/stained
• Wash all windows, inside & out. You'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes!

Interior of Your Home: Make sure your home is warm and welcoming! Turn on all lights for showings to showcase your home

• Curtains and blinds should be left open during the daylight
• Temperature should be set to be comfortable in any season
• Place fresh flowers/plants in various rooms
• Make sure your home is smelling fresh. Careful not to 'mask' smells with heavy perfumes. (See Nicole's referral page for a contact!)
• Touch up/repair chipped paint or plaster and paint
• If your home has wall paper, removing it can make your home neutral, which is what most Buyers are looking for.
• Remove any personal photos/decor that might be offensive to a Buyer
• Make sure doors and cupboards properly close
• Repair leaky sinks or toilets
• Replace all burned out light bulbs
• Oil squeaky doors
• Clean and polish mirrors and fixtures
• Make sure all seals around tubs and sinks are in good repair
• Clean floors and empty garbage containers
• Organize inside of cabinets and closets-Buyers will look to see how much space you have!
• If you have items that are large or bulky and are not necessary for daily living or if they are seasonal, consider "pre-packing" and removing those items from the home
• Valuable property needs to be out of reach, out of sight or locked away.
• Have pets absent, where possible, or contained during showings
• All torn screens should be repaired or replaced
• Repaint rooms white or beige to neutralize if current colors are too loud or offbeat
• Light fireplace in cooler weather; creates great ambiance!
• De-clutter countertops and wipe down daily
• Clean inside & outside of your appliances
• Make beds and make sure all clothes/towels are picked up off of the floor
• Personal medications and toiletries need to be put away in bathrooms
• Hang fresh towels on your towel bars

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Preparing to meet with Nicole to list your home

My goal is for you to have a clear picture of the "game plan" when it comes to selling your home. It is helpful to have the following items ready, when meeting with me:

• Most recent mortgage statement, including but not limited to your equity line (if applicable), second mortgage statement and/or any lien information.
• A list of any updates that you've done to the home (i.e., year new roof was put on, date of granite countertop installation, etc.)
• Maintenance schedule for your major mechanical items (i.e, furnace, a/c unit, pool, etc.)

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Preparing to meet with Nicole to Buy a Home

Deciding to Buy your first home to move to your next home can be an exciting decision so congratulations on making the first step! There a few more steps before we head out to take a look at homes, so here's a list of things that need to happen so that we can get you ready!

• One of the first steps to buying a home is to get pre-approved. I have several companies that I can refer you to. It's important that you talk with at least 2 lenders, to be able compare fees and loan products. While an interest rate is an important item to pay attention to, keep in mind that you cannot lock your interest rate until you are in contract. So when you are speaking with a lender, remember, they will quote you that day's interest rate based upon your credit score. See Nicole's "Referrals" tab to see a list of lenders that I've done business with.
• Once you are pre-approved, it might be for an amount that you would be more than you would be comfortable with as a monthly mortgage payment. Decide what amount you are comfortable with and then we will prepare a search that showcases you homes that fit your comfort level.
• Make 2 lists-One that has a list of items you absolutely have to have in your next home and another list with items that you would like but don't have to have. This will help us in the search!
  
  Now we're ready to search for your next home!