Farm and Home Real Estate - Emporia, Kansas ~ If you need assistance selling your home, or managing or selling your commercial and rental properties, you can count on Farm & Home Real Estate to produce results fast

906 Commercial St. Emporia, KS 66801 - Phone: (620) 342-0022

Prepare Your Home
Once you've decided to sell your home, there are a number of things that you can do to help get the best possible price in the shortest amount of time.

Your Farm & Home Real Estate representative is an expert in marketing homes. However, selling your home is a joint effort with you playing an important part in the final results. Your major role is to make your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Preparing your home for showing will give you a competitive edge over many homes on the market.

Remember that first impressions count. You should do everything you can to make that first impression a positive one. People who consider buying your home will be as critical as you are in searching for a new home.

Take an inspection tour of your home, observing it as a potential buyer would. Take note of any minor repairs and painting that needs to be done. Your Farm & Home Real Estate representative is an experienced professional who will be able to view your home objectively and make suggestions that will improve the appearance of your home and its salability.

Click on the links for some tips from Farm & Home Real Estate which have proven invaluable to home owners in preparing their homes for showing.

What to Avoid
Many families tend to learn to live with a broken doorknob or a cracked window. All of these little things should be fixed because no prospective buyer wants to do the things that you have let stack up.

Use caution in planning major improvements that you think will enable you to get more for your house. Of course, an investment in a paint job where it's obviously needed will be well worth the cost. The same is true with carpeting that is shabby enough to be a turn-off.

Most people who are out shopping for a house would rather plan their own major changes, and you are usually wiser to sell them the potential at a price that they can afford.

Here is a list of things to consider when you are showing your home:

The television and radio should be turned off. Let the salesperson and the buyer talk, free from disturbance or distraction.

Send the children and pets outdoors to play. This will eliminate the possibility of confusion and keep the prospect's attention focused on your home.

Leave the drapes open for light and airiness. It it's evening all of the lights should be turned on to give the rooms a larger appearance and a cheerful effect.

If your home has been closed up or you have pets, use an air freshener before a potential buyer arrives.

Be sure the kitchen sink is free of dishes and rooms are uncluttered.

Be courteous but don't force conversation with a potential buyer. They want to inspect your house not pay a social call.

Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained sales person answer any objections.

the sales person knows the buyers requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along. You will be called if needed.

Let your realtor discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyer. Your Realtor is experienced at bringing the negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

Exterior
Since the exterior of your home is the first thing a prospective buyer sees, it is very important to create a good first impression. Here are some things you can do to make sure that first impression is a positive one, helping you get the best price for home that you can.

Keep the lawn trimmed and edged. Weed and cultivate the flower gardens. Trim any shrubs and eliminate dead trees or branches. Pick up any debris, toys, or lawn equipment.

Repair fences and gates. Give them a fresh coat of paint, if necessary.

Is the exterior well painted, the roof in good repair, as well as the guttering and down spouts?

Wash down the driveways and sidewalks. Check them for cracking and crumbling.

Replace any cracked windows or torn screens.

The entrance should be clean and in good repair. The doorbell and front light must be in good working condition.

Interior
When you are trying to make your house as attractive as possible to potential buyers start with the basics. Give your home a full, thorough, top to bottom housecleaning. Don't let dirt and clutter obscure your home's good points. Discard unused and unnecessary items in storage areas and closets. Eliminating clutter will give your home a more spacious look.

Walls should be clean and free of dirt and smudges, fingerprints and dents. Consider a fresh coat of paint if a good washing doesn't do the trick. Inspect woodwork and wallpaper for problem areas.

Arrange furniture to make each room appear more spacious and attractive. If a piece of furniture is badly worn, store it temporarily in the attic or at your neighbor's.

Wash windows and sills until they sparkle. Curtains and drapes should be freshly laundered.

Shampoo rugs and carpets. floors should be waxed.

Repair loose doorknobs, sticking doors and windows, and warped drawers.

Fix leaky faucets and eliminate water discoloration in sinks.

Tighten loose stair banisters, and be sure steps are free of objects.

Light fixtures should be in good repair. replace cracked or discolored switch plates.

Clean out closets to display their roominess. Be sure clothes are hung neatly with shoes and other objects tidily arranged.

Bathrooms should be spotless. Repair caulking in tubs and showers.

Bedrooms should appear neat with attractive spreads and curtains.

Clean and tidy the kitchen, including cupboards, stoves and oven.

Clean and organize the basement, attic and garage.

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