| 1) Lawn-care/landscaping. A lot of people overlook this | | | | marks, scuffs, do detract from your homes value. Pick |
| one. A green lawn is a plus. A weedy, crabgrass filled | | | | or stay with neutral colors. For free expert advice call |
| lawn will detract from your homes presentability and | | | | your local realtor and ask them what sells (colors, etc...). |
| value. Its not hard to green your lawn (use a weed & | | | | They will be glad to tell you as you may become a |
| feed and apply it to the whole lawn - $20-$30). It will | | | | client for them.6) Make sure your appliances that are |
| take a few weeks and will yield a major improvement. | | | | staying with the house all work.Women are prone to |
| Have the lawn professionally cut (they will edge your | | | | try out appliances in the kitchen. Replace any |
| lawn, remove weeds, etc... for $30 or so per session) - | | | | mismatched appliances and upgrade to stay in tune |
| it shows you care and cared for your house. Well | | | | with your neighborhood. Do not out price your |
| placed shrubs, trees, and flowers can make the ugliest | | | | neighborhood or you will risk throwing away money. |
| home inviting. They can also hide shortcomings, | | | | Your realtor can best help you here as to whether |
| misaligned panels, meters, hoses, pipes, and other out | | | | you should go with granite, tile, formica and similar |
| yard detriments and annoyances.2) Paint/pressure | | | | questions.7) Useable space. Take that attic or extra |
| washing the exterior. Many times the outside will | | | | closet and turn it into a bathroom or extra room if it is |
| brighten up with just a quick pressure washing | | | | feasible. Remember the rule - square footage equals |
| (average $100-$150). This will remove dirt, cobwebs, | | | | money. The more useful room you have the more you |
| some stains, mildew, etc... If there is more left when | | | | will get.8) Carpets. Have them professionally cleaned |
| done you will need to repaint the exterior (average | | | | and replaced if necessary. Potential buyers will be |
| $500-$2000). This is more expensive, but will definitely | | | | looking with the mindset of how much money and time |
| brighten up your house and make it more | | | | they will have to put in to make it liveable and homelike. |
| marketable.3) Driveway. Look at your driveway. Does | | | | The more you help them, the better off you will be. |
| it have oil stains, spots, look aged? Revitalize it. A good | | | | There's nothing like a stained carpet to bring down |
| pressure washing will help most driveways. For | | | | your value and deter buyers. Don't just try the cover |
| stubborn oil stains and spots spray a mixture of | | | | up method. These spots will come out when the buyer |
| 10-30% muriatic acid on the concrete wait one minute | | | | does their preclosing inspection - and don't think they |
| then pressure wash off. This will remove the most | | | | won't.9) Have your home inspected. Have the |
| stubborn stains better than anything else. Be careful | | | | foundation, roof, plumbing, etc... checked out. By having |
| not to spray the acid on your lawn or let the | | | | the results of a positive inspection in hand for potential |
| over-spray from pressure washing get on the lawn (it | | | | buyers it shows that you know you have a good, well |
| will kill your grass and turn it yellow fast).4) | | | | cared for house. The buyers will be willing to pay more |
| Entrance-way. If you don't have a decorative glass | | | | for your house. Also have it inspected for pests, |
| door, get one. They are easily installed (goes on in | | | | ants,and other insects.There you have it 9 steps that |
| front of your front door) and greatly dress up or finish | | | | will guarantee a much higher resale value of any |
| a well kept house - they give it that finished touch. Also | | | | house in any area or neighborhood.David Maillie is a |
| a few nicely trimmed potted plants, decorative plants | | | | chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical |
| and shrubs will add that welcoming and cozy feeling. | | | | research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of |
| Remember 95% of all home buying purchases are | | | | Cornell University and specializes in biochemical |
| heavily influenced by a woman. Make them feel at | | | | synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. |
| home and you will get a much higher price and return | | | | He holds numerous patents including his recently |
| for just a little work and a little money - well worth it.5) | | | | awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer. He |
| Inside paint and trim work. This is a must. Have the | | | | can be reached at M.D. |
| interior repainted along with the trim work. Little dings, | | | | |