10 WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME TO SELL

With so many homes on the market in Yamhill County, sellers need to make every effort possible to make their house stand out from the competition. Buyers have so many options that first impressions do count, and it is the small differences between homes that will likely determine which house they submit an offer. If you were a buyer comparing your home to others in the neighborhood, wouldn't you prefer the one that is excellently maintained, has sparkling clean bathrooms, and isn't crammed full of furniture?

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Re-arrange furniture, and even eliminate some of it, so that buyers can easily maneuver and appreciate the floor plan. Double-Duty Mission: Try moving a side chair from the living room into a corner of the master bedroom and place a pretty throw blanket over the arm. It makes the master bedroom appear more like a retreat plus opens up the space in the living room.

3. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

4. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

5. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.

6. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

7. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.

8. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, pull the weeds, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

9. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers. Clean your gutters. Place a new welcome mat at the front door.