Sellers get the current market with longer market times and prices, but understanding that the right priced home needs to have up-to-date appeal to homebuyers can be a daunting next level. After years of hearing from successful salespeople that they didn’t have to do anything, salespeople need a little rehab to understand how they can stand out from the competition with rising inventories. Many sellers are open to review if the advice comes from someone other than their agents’ mouths. Here’s a handy list to help convince sellers that some features in your home may need attention.

-Test all door and cabinet knobs. Replace mismatched or inexpensive hardware for a quick upgrade. Buyers can rarely go beyond a knob slipping out of their hands when trying to use a door.

-Take the time to paint walls, trim and ceilings. Keep adjoining rooms in the same color palette, which will make your home appear larger and flow better. Clean up messy painters spills. Hire professionals to paint window studs and stair spindles.

-Uncoupled cover of furniture in a room that requires visual unification.

-Discover ways to organize the daily necessities of the room. Hearty wicker or square stainless steel or brass baskets can organize magazines, remote controls and toys. Books make for a nice look, but vary them by placing some down and some standing up.

-Wallpaper is considered fill-in-the-blank decoration. No two people have the same taste in this instant home decor wannabe. If it’s over three years old, take it apart and paint it a neutral color. And the wallpapers are out.

-Simple rearrangement of furniture can breathe new life into a tired space. Float sofas and coffee tables away from the walls for a designer look. Use mats to anchor groups of furniture on bare wood and tile floors. Place clusters of candles and clear glass bowls filled with natural potpourri, fresh fruit, or glass crystals on coffee and end tables.

-Ensure there is balanced lighting in each room for evening and evening functions. Faders help set the right tone.

-Buffing and waxing hardwood floors to shine and blend an antique finish.

-Wipe each surface until shiny and shiny. Clean can seal a deal. Don’t forget the windows.

-Buy the best quality rug pad that can make any new rug “comfortable” and homebuyers love comfort. Stay away from shag styles, shoppers know they won’t last long through styling cycles.

-Rationalize window fashions. Heavy curtains are in the minority. Think “letting the light in” when putting up blinds and shades. Light and glare can trump other problems with the home.

-Revamp closets with closet organizers to maximize storage space and paint a washable neutral color. Make sure shoppers can see the back of all closets and cupboards. Lighting is often overlooked in closets, but shoppers will always turn on the lights when they see a closet, big or small. Cutting down on closets, cabinets, bases, attics, and garages will also help make your storage spaces look bigger. If you can’t part with the items, rent a storage locker to keep the items for later decisions.

-Don’t forget that dark, dirty and musty basements are a turn off for buyers. Add additional lighting, paint the floor, and vacuum all the cobwebs. Organize storage areas and take time to clean out the washer and dryer. To fix the water heater and oven, clean them with a strong cleaner. Scrub the laundry tub and sweep any leftover leaves from outside stairwells and window gaps. Run a dehumidifier to reduce base humidity.

-Observe well from the street or walk in front of your house. Look for shrubs that are overgrown or dead and remove them and replace them with shrubs that suit your home. Small, inexpensive shrubs send the wrong message.

-Limit garden ornaments to a few favorites. Too much trim can make yards look busy and buyers may want them included in a purchase contract.

-Paint and refresh garden lights, flagpoles, mailboxes, planters, fences and trellis. Don’t forget the swing set or play equipment.

-Replacement of broken bricks on decks, cracked concrete patios and steps. Eliminate trips and falls in the property display.

-Restore screens on porches and terraces. Dirty, rusty, and broken screens limit functionality for homebuyers.

-Do not leave pets unattended to show property, especially when you know they may be aggressive or territorial with strangers.

-Clean carpets and rugs before showing your home to potential buyers. People allergic to animal dander and hair, even if they can’t see their pet, will know when their eyes and nose begin to alert them to an allergic reaction. Many will not buy a house that poses strong allergy problems.

-Pick up dog lying in the yard. Buyers who are going to take a look at the ceiling do not want any “retired”.

-A barking dog or overly friendly cats can ruin an exhibit. Be proactive and take your pets off site for visits. Hire a dog walker to occupy the pets if you can’t be home.

###