Location, Location, Location – that’s what they say, but location is only part of the selling equation. Your goal as a seller is to not only move the property quickly, but to get top dollar for it as well. As a homeowner, you play the most important part in the sales process. Making the property attractive to all potential buyers is essential, visual appearance plays a large part of that, but also enlisting the assistance of a qualified home professional. At CENTURY 21 Beggins Enterprises we’ll help you to make sure that all of your loose ends are tied up before going to market. We’ll work with you to make sure that you know what needs to be done to get top dollar and we’ll even help you find a home service provider if you need that something extra accomplished.

Make the First Impression Powerful
Depending on the season of the sale the way you approach the first impression (curb appeal) will vary. In the summer months its good habit to keep the lawn well manicured lawn and shrubs neatly trimmed. During the autumn months make sure that the leaves are raked and during the winter months shovel the walkways and driveway. If the outside looks disheveled, potential buyers may assume the same for the inside and drive right past.

Cast Away the Clutter
Getting them in the door is only the first step, if once inside they can’t maneuver the home you may have already lost the sale. Clean up the living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen. Anything that normally shouldn’t be there should be removed. Don’t move the clutter, act on it, simply moving it to another location may be a negative if you overfill the closets or storage. Make the most of the space that you have. Temporary storage centers are a good idea if you need to store items during the sale. Making a small investment in storage can pay off big if the end result shows adequate in-house storage.

Perform Basic Maintenance
Grease door hinges to remove squeaks, make sure all kitchen cabinets can operate flawlessly, check that all light bulbs are functional, and that your faucets are not dripping. A single water drip can negatively wash a sale away. Dripping faucets can lead buyers to assume that maintenance has been neglected and that other items not visible to them are faulty. Check all doors and cabinets for squeaks and proper fit, and make sure that the house is well lit. Creaking doors and open cabinets can rattle nerves; spend the time to make sure your buyers feel comfortable.

Watch Your Pets
Having a pet is not uncommon and many people truly feel that the pets are a part of the family, however having a pet and looking like you have a pet are two different things. If you can have your pets stay with a friend or family member during the sale process, your better off. If this isn’t an option, then try to make sure that the pet is either out of the picture or away from the buyers. Smells should be removed with basic air fresheners, kitty litter should be replaced or cleaned before every showing, fish tanks should be clean, and dogs should not be roaming the house during visits. Not only do you need to take your buyers senses into account, you need to consider that your buyer may have allergies.

Set the Mood
Lighting is essential for your home. During the day, make sure that natural light is freely coming in, and at night, make sure that your blinds are down and that each room is adequately lit. Buyers need to see the home as their own, and setting the lighting will help them do that.

Safety First
Keep your home safe and ready for potential obstacles. Buyers can learn a lot about their home and neighborhood by simple safety practices. Smoke alarms should be checked before showings, security systems should be disabled as well. A false alarm during a showing will set the wrong tone with the buyer. Any guns or weapons in the home should be removed prior to any visits. Hiding them is not recommended as you need to take your buyers personal safety into account. They are in your house; make them feel free and safe to look around.

Sparkle and Shine
Bathrooms and kitchens are notably the biggest influences in home buying decisions. A clean room is a good room. Spend the time to make sure that these rooms are spotless and accessible. Dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher are a negative, and empty out the garbage pail before a showing. Foul smelling garbage will deter buyers and lead them out of the money making rooms.

Make Bedrooms Visually Appealing
Simple removal of bulky furniture such as night stands and dressers can make a room size appear twice as large. If maneuvering through the room is difficult because of bulky items, try to either arrange the furniture in a more spacious manner, or remove the furniture and place it in storage. Buyers need to feel that the space is roomy enough for their furniture.

Turn the Phone Off
Getting telephone calls during inopportune moments is sometimes avoidable, but these shouldn’t happen during a sale. During visits make sure the phone ringer is turned off and that voice messages are off as well. The potential buyers don’t need to hear your messages, and they shouldn’t have to have their thoughts and conversations interrupted.

Find Something to Do
Understanding that your home is where you live it can be difficult to let strangers walk through your house. If a showing is occurring and you are not able to be elsewhere, do not be in the path of the buyers, most buyers will be put off by the sellers and will feel too pressured to spend the time they need to make a decision. If you can get away from the house during a showing, everyone will benefit from it.

Avoid Crowd Scenes
Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they're likely to hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.

Relax
Be friendly, but don't try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of distraction.