Following are some tips and advice for sellers.  We hope that you find this information useful.  

REPAIRS

Rule of thumb is if something needs repair, fix it!  When the buyer brings an inspector to your home, the buyer is going to mentally add up the cost of repairing all those minor flaws...Those minor flaws that are just cheaper for you to fix yourself than it would for a repairman.

Remove all peeling paint and loose wallpaper.  If necessary touch up your home with fresh paint to remove those annoying marks on the wall.

Treat the buyer as you would yourself.  Repair any major issues yourself or allow the buyer an allowance.  Always disclose anything that you know about the property.  Remember, it is against Texas law to not disclose any known facts about your home.

CLEANING YOUR HOME

Let your home sparkle and shine!  Think about it as if you were the buyer.  Do you want to buy a dirty home or a clean one?  Clean all your windows and wall-to-wall carpeting.  Polish the linoleum, tile and wooden floors.  Polish all woodwork.  Don't forget the kitchen cabinets.  Clean and polish all light fixtures

NEUTRALIZING

Forget what you personally like or what your preferences are.  The market is always demand driven.  Your average buyer is going to find it hard to look beyond those bright green walls or that avocado carpeting.  Consider replacing bold colors with neutral ones.  If you need to replace your carpets, consider replacing with what the market wants (ie, berber).  If you want to re-do your kitchen, you might want to consider granite counters.  Think about what the buyer would want.  Think about what you would want if you were that potential buyer.

SPACE MANAGEMENT AND ATMOSPHERE

You might want to consider re-arranging the furniture in your home to give it a spacious feeling.  Consider removing furniture from rooms that are crowded to give the home a feeling of openness.  Keep in mind too that potential buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space.  They're also looking for storage space.  The better organized a house and free of clutter, the larger it appears.

Use light to create a sense of space. All drapes should be open.  Turn on all the lights throughout the home before a showing and be sure to replace any burned out light bulbs.

Think about your home from a buyer's perspective.  Keep in mind your sense of smell as you go through the checklist.  A clean smelling house is one that creates a positive image in the buyer's mind.  Be aware of any odors from pets or cigarettes.  Smokers rarely notice the smell of tobacco and pet owners may be oblivious to their pet's odors.  If odors have permeated throughout your home, have your drapes and furniture cleaned.

Think about adding delightful odors in your home.  Research has shown that we have positive responses to certain smells such as cinnamon, flowers or freshly baked bread.  In fact, consider baking fresh bread or cookies in the oven before a showing.  This will create a homey feeling and one that the buyer can imagine themselves in.

Leave your thermostat at a comfortable setting.  You want your potential buyers to enjoy being in your home and you want them to be comfortable.

STAGING

This part involves you preparing your home to emphasize the best features of your home.  Small details can add a more appealing look to your home.  Try a vase of flowers, an open book on the coffee table, a birch of logs by the fireplace, a bright pillow or a throw blanket on a couch and so on.  The little things can make a difference.

Always let light into your rooms.  Consider replacing heavy curtains with sheer white panels.  Try to take advantage of natural light by cleaning windows, opening shades and drapes.  Add lamps or lights to dark areas of the home to make them well-light

EXTERIOR

Consider adding curb appeal to your property.  Color has a tendency to attract.  Consider lining the path leading to your front door with colorful flowers.  If you are selling during the winter, consider hanging a wreath of dried flowers on the door.  

Keep your lawn well-manicured.  Prune and trim any shrubbery and trees to complement your home.

Make sure all the doors are in good working order.  Clean and paint the doors.   Check for any loose or missing shingles.  Invest in a new doormat that says "WELCOME!".

Keep your driveway clear of children's toys.  The driveway is going to be the first thing a potential buyer sees when they drive up.  So you want to clear it of any debris.

A Harvard study indicates that 65% of first impressions is by the way things look.  You only get one first impression!

SHOWING YOUR HOME

Make it easy for the prospective buyer to see the house.  Either purchase a good combination lockbox (we can help), lease a Supra lockbox (this lockbox creates a record of which agents have shown your home), or be home every day from 9AM to dark.  It's not good to tell prospective buyers or agents that they can't see your home at any time.  

Pets should be outside during showings.  Be sure to include any instructions concerning pets in your MLS listing.  It would also be helpful to have a note on the entrance door about the location of the pets in your home (example - the cats roam the house freely, the dog is in the master bedroom, etc.)   If you have an animal that may bite, be sure to have them caged or secured.  Remember that not everyone likes pets.

Be sure that any alarm codes or security system instructions are included in the showing directions.  It is better to have alarms off during showing hours.  Be sure to disclose any alarm service or lease you may have to the prospective buyer..

Have color handouts (including a picture) of your home's statistics and information in your home where prospective buyers can pick up a copy.  You may want to include the school information and local phone numbers for utility hookups and newspaper numbers.  Your Seller's Disclosure Form (required by Texas property law) should also be there.  If you have low utility bills, leave copies of them out, also.

Secure your jewelry and other valuables during the time of the listing.