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