| Selling your home in a buyer's market. | | | | Open all blinds and drapes and for the |
| Walk your home, clean, paint and | | | | day take off sun protective screens if |
| de-clutter. | | | | they can be. The object here is to let |
| Pay special attention to the kitchen, | | | | as much indirect sunlight in as possible |
| including the inside of the | | | | to make your home look bright, cheery |
| refrigerator, (yes, people open up your | | | | and inviting.` |
| frig.) and the bathrooms. They say, | | | | Turn on additional lamps and lights |
| here in the Valley of the Sun, including | | | | while temporarily increasing the wattage |
| Phoenix, Chandler, and Ahwatukee, that | | | | to 100 watts if your lamps are rated for |
| "woman look carefully at the kitchen and | | | | the same. If not, put the highest |
| bathrooms", "and men look at the garage | | | | wattage rated bulb you can in as many |
| and the yard." | | | | lights as you can. |
| I can not tell you the times I have | | | | Remove excess clutter, vacuum, and |
| shown homes with a garage that looked | | | | clean, especially, again, the bathrooms |
| like a pack rat's nest. Throw it out, | | | | and kitchen. Don't forget to make the |
| have a garage sale, however you do it, | | | | beds, all of them, even juniors. Lock |
| get rid of it, and organize, organize, | | | | away all of your valuables. A special |
| organize. | | | | note. |
| From the outside in. If there are any | | | | In all the years I have been in the |
| oil stains on the drive, remove them and | | | | business of buying, selling and |
| generally hose down or sweep the drive | | | | investing in real estate, I have never |
| including the garage and outdoor patios. | | | | had things stolen during an open house. |
| If it's the season, and here in Phoenix | | | | That said, better safe than sorry, and |
| if I'm going to put your home up on the | | | | do NOT ever tempt as in leaving money |
| Phoenix MLS, I want to see bright fresh | | | | around. |
| flowers in the front yard. They can be | | | | If you hired an agent to put you in the |
| in movable pots and you can take them | | | | Phoenix MLS, and he or she is hosting |
| with you. (If you are taking them, make | | | | the open house, make arrangements to be |
| sure this is clearly stated in the | | | | away the days of the open house. Allow |
| Phoenix MLS or the purchase offer.) | | | | the agent to do their job, sell your |
| Continue with the outside by picking up | | | | house. That is what they do. If you |
| any toys or other extraneous objects, | | | | are holding the open house, whether or |
| and putting away (after using) all lawn | | | | not you have an agent and are listed on |
| equipment including mowers, rakes, | | | | the Phoenix MLS, answer any questions, |
| shovels, etc. | | | | point out up to three features you |
| Pets, like dogs or cats. Remove them | | | | absolutely love about the house or |
| for the day even if they are the nicest | | | | neighborhood, great schools is |
| creatures in Phoenix, Ahwatukee, | | | | especially good, then let the folks |
| Chandler or Gilbert. They don't work | | | | wander. They want to look at your |
| for guests at an open house, and | | | | house, not become best friends. |
| distract them from the business at hand, | | | | Follow this advice in Phoenix, Chandler, |
| that of buying your house! Make sure | | | | Ahwatukee, Gilbert or Mesa or anywhere |
| all snakes, lizards, pet spiders, and | | | | in the country and you'll do just fine |
| fish etc. are well confined. | | | | selling your home in a "down market". |