| Real Estate Agents know how to sell their own | | | | scents in builder's model homes. You can buy vanilla air |
| homes and get top dollar. Selling homes is what they | | | | fresheners that fit directly on your air filter (available at |
| do. They package, market and sell homes for a living | | | | home depot). |
| and they know what home buyers want. Here is a list | | | | -Curtains are always opened, windows shades always |
| of exactly what real estate agents do when preparing | | | | up and lights always on (including lamps, hallway lights, |
| their own home for sale. | | | | etc) when the home is being shown (even during the |
| The Exterior | | | | day). The combination of sunlight and artificial light helps |
| Real estate agents understand how important "Curb | | | | make the home appear larger and open. |
| Appeal" is. It is the home buyers first impression of the | | | | -All clutter is removed. |
| home. Shouldn't it be a good one? When beautifying | | | | -All clothes are placed in the drawers or neatly in |
| the exterior of the home, the focus on the landscaping, | | | | closets. |
| driveway, entranceway and front door. | | | | -Carpets are clean and in good condition. Otherwise, |
| -All clutter is removed from the front yard. | | | | get rid of them. |
| -Cracks in the driveway and walkway are fixed. | | | | -The windows are thoroughly cleaned. Buyers like to |
| -The front lawn and shrubs are manicured. Gardens | | | | look outside the windows. The windows and screen |
| are mulched. | | | | doors easily open and close and are in good shape. |
| -The exterior of the home is painted if needed. | | | | -The kitchen is thoroughly cleaned. The cabinets, |
| -The front door is painted or replaced if needed. | | | | counters and appliances are thoroughly spotless. All |
| -Chipped or fraying paint on door and window frames | | | | clutter is removed. Dishes and glasses are neatly |
| is removed, and fresh paint is added. | | | | stacked in the cupboards. There are never any dirty |
| -Gutters and downspouts are cleared and in good | | | | dishes in the sink or on the counter. |
| working order. | | | | -The closets are reorganized so they appear larger. |
| The Interior | | | | Some clothes are removed if necessary. |
| -Pet odors are eliminated! | | | | -Walls are clean and there are no smudge marks. If |
| -Soft jazz or classical music is playing on the stereo | | | | the paint is dingy, the walls must be painted. Light |
| when buyers come through. | | | | colors are used to make the house appear larger. |
| -Furniture is removed and either put in the basement or | | | | Never do more work than necessary. |
| into storage. This makes the home appear much | | | | Often sellers think that the more they fix-up, the higher |
| larger. You never want to make it difficult to walk | | | | the price they will get. When you go beyond the |
| through all the rooms in the house, so clear the | | | | necessary fix-ups, you get to the point where you are |
| pathways! | | | | wasting your money. Do all the necessary fix-ups prior |
| -Electrical and plumbing are in working order. | | | | to selling, but never do what is un-necessary. |
| -Broken appliances are fixed. | | | | I hope that you found this information useful. As your |
| -The garage door works perfectly. | | | | local Denver real estate professional, I am available for |
| -A fresh scent is always used to appeal to buyer's | | | | any questions that you may have. I can be found at or |
| senses. Vanilla is one of the most frequently used | | | | another great resource HomeDealsColorado. |