Household Stale Carpet Odor Put baking soda into a flour sifter Cleaning Mini-Blinds Place a clean sock on each hand. Curtains and Curtain Rods Before putting curtains on a metal Refrigerator Odors Pour a little pure vanilla on a cotton |
| Household Hints Broken Light Bulbs In Sockets Turn off power to a ceiling / wall Washing Knick-Knacks Gather them unto a tray for safe Cleaning The Fireplace Mist the ashes with water from a Polishing Chrome Dampen chrome with water. Polish – shiny side out. Spraying polish directly onto Squeaky Wooden Floors Dust talcum powder into the cracks |
Household Scratches can be filled on light Cleaning Windows Use vertical strokes on the outside Sticky Drawers Rub a bar of hand soap across the Wax Crayon on Painted Walls Spray with WD40 and then wipe Avoid Painting Fixtures Cover hinges and door handles Visualize Your Room Color Before painting a room, purchase |
Preliminary Work • Clear away any litter between the street curb and |
Preliminary Work |
| The Finishing Touches • Shutters • Shutters and front door painted in a spectacular color which compliments the exterior of the house • An all-season wreath on the front door • A shiny brass door knocker • An attractive door mat • Flowers clustered around a lamppost or mailbox • Window boxes under windows and/or along railings • (Winter: drape pine boughs across the empty boxes) • Hanging planters • Groupings of tubs with flowers on porches and decks (Winter: plant small evergreen trees in tubs) • Wood chips around trees and shrubs • Brightly colored bird houses • A porch swing with comfy cushions • A hammock in the trees • Filled bird feeders • White wicker furniture • An open umbrella above your deck furniture • A croquet set • Children’s pool toys neatly arranged by the pool • A tray with a pitcher and glass tumblers on the deck table – all ready to be filled with cold lemonade • A bird book lying open on a chaise lounge (with a pair of binoculars on the table next to it) • A chart outlining the location and names of all trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and bulbs on the property |
| The Garage … • Have a garage sale |
| THE FINISHING TOUCHES • Window boxes filled with flowers • Curtains in the windows • A weathervane on the roof • Ivy growing on outside wall • Flowering shrubs around the exterior • Colorful hooks to hang implements • A large wall clock • An intercom into the house • A hobby project on the work bench … possibly a piece of furniture being refinished |
| Other Atlanta Houshold Items • Repair any house foundation cracks • Clean all windows, including those in the garage • Replace any cracked or broken window glass • Repair any wood rot • Check window screens. Replace any that are bent or bulging • Repair and/or replace caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors • Storm windows are available and clean • Exterior doors lock properly. Easy to open and shut • Oil any squeaky door hinges • Doorbells are working properly • Polish any brass door handles • Interior doors lock properly • All doors and walls are free of fingerprints • Illuminate dark corners with brighter light bulbs • Consider replacing standard lighting with some track lighting • Repair any noisy pipes • Repair any squeaky floorboards • Repair any cracks in floorboards or floor tiles • Replace loose floorboards or floor tiles |
All Through The House … |
The Finishing Touches • A home security system |
The Entryway … • Clean and polish hardwood flooring |
The Entryway … • Consider removing carpeting and painting the steps |
| • A colorful mat at the front door • Space in the closet to hang the Buyers’ coats • A polished table with a bouquet of silk flowers • A little wicker basket on the table to hold the mail • The overhead light on a dimmer switch • Mirrors giving the illusion of more space • A hanging piece of stained glass in a sunny window • Beautiful wallpaper border that carries color and pattern as far as the eye can see • A tall vase of ornamental grasses • If an old house, a framed piece of original wallpaper • An unusual art object or collection of furniture (e.g.: Edwardian hats, a child’s rocking horse, old maps, an interesting piece of sculpture, colorful bird houses, shiny walking sticks, or bright ceramic flower pots). • A set of small, framed botanical or floral prints • on the staircase wall • A little round or oval rug on the floor of the upstairs landing • On the upstairs landing … a staged grouping consisting of a small table with a reading lamp and a selection of interesting books, a rocking chair with a small colorful quilt draped across it’s back, and a basket of dried flowers on the floor beside the chair |
Atlanta Living Room … • Refinish or polish hardwood floors |
| • Keep magazines in a magazine rack • Immediately clear away any food or beverages as soon as they have been consumed • Remove any and all plants that are not in the optimum of good health • Lower hanging planters so that buyers are looking into them and not up at the bottom of dirty pots • Clean all the light fixtures • Use tri-light bulbs in table lamps, to control the degree of lighting you wish to display • Clean the fireplace. Remove any build-up of ashes or charred bits of wood from the grate • Polish fireplace implements • Dust the furniture, windows and lights • Vacuum the carpet / rugs and sweep the floor • In a sparse room, furniture that is all covered with one fabric for a really dynamic look • Patterned curtains and clusters of pillows around the room in complementary & contrasting colors • (Winter) A fire crackling in the hearth … only if someone will be present in the house! • (Summer) A fire laid with pretty logs, or a basket of dried flowers, or ferns, in front of the fire screen • A grouping of small ornaments, or a large painting (with picture light) over the mantle • A comfy chair by the window, with soft pillows. • Next to it a little table with a bright reading lamp, a dish of mints, a mystery novel … and a footstool. • Two chairs grouped together around a small table with a jigsaw puzzle underway – and a colorful dish of pretzels • A coffee table with a bouquet of flowers and a sumptuous “coffee-table book” • Music sheets on a piano • Potted palm trees and hanging ferns drawing your eye away from bare corners • A sofa table behind the sofa, perhaps displaying an embroidered runner, a lamp, a cherished photograph in a lovely frame and an unusual little clock • Indoor shutters on windows that overlook a garden • The use of chair rail molding and/or wallpaper border within the room |
| The Bathroom(s) … • Remove any personal items (shampoo, medicine, |
| The Last Minute • Clear away any litter from in front of your house |
| If you follow these tips to sell your home you will be able to afford a bigger Atlanta Georgia Real Estate market home. Also you could look in many areas including Jasper,Ellijay, Blue Ridge for that second home. Also Big Canoe,Bent Tree, and Lake Arrowhead in Cherokee County are great options for that second home. If you are relocating to the Atlanta Georgia area, and are seeking a home in the Atlanta Real Estate market, the seegeorgiarealestate team will be glad to help you find the home of your dreams in Cherokee,Fulton,Forsyth,Cobb,Paulding,Pickens, Dawson,Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona,Hall, Bartow,Floyd counties, and any of the surrounding metro counties that we as your Atlanta Realtor and Atlanta Real Estate Agent will be your only need for assistance in this matter. |
The Worst Case Scenario
When you put your Atlanta home up for sale, it is hard to objectively look at your
surroundings. Instead of the window that needs caulking, you see the view of the
tree where your first swing hung. Instead of a refrigerator plastered with artwork,
you see a visual progression of your child’s school years. However, it is important
to remember that prospective Atlanta home buyers do not share your memories. They will see
what is directly in front of them, minus the nostalgia!
To emphasize this point, I have created “The Worst Case Scenario”. Come and
view the home of the Blank Family. Who think it is absolutely perfect.
#22 Atlanta Real Estate Avenue
#22 Atlanta Real Estate Avenue has come on the market. The Blank
Family, who currently own the home, have decided to
move and today they are having their first Atlanta Real Estate
“showing”. The Blanks are feeling pretty confident that
their house will be sold by the end of the week.
The potential buyers, Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful, arrive on time
and maneuver their car into the vacant spot on the
driveway. Once out of his vehicle, the first thing Mr.
Hopeful notices is a big oil stain on the pavement. He
suspects that there could be more underneath the
Blank’s rusty family sedan parked beside him, as well as
on the floor of their garage.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hopeful has stepped over a bike that is
lying exactly where a young Blank hurled it, and she is
now carefully making her way along the broken bits of
flagstone leading up to the house. Is that dog debris in
the grass?
Mr. Hopeful pauses for a moment to get an overall view
of the front of the Blank’s home. What does he notice?
Let’s see … a couple of shingles missing, a rather
sagging eaves trough, chipped paint here and there and
Christmas lights (even though it is May).
He joins his wife on the porch and Mrs. Hopeful pushes
the doorbell … that hasn’t worked properly for the past
six years. She has plenty of time to notice the flowers in
the pots, which look as though they expired the previous
summer. Also, the outdoor light fixture is missing a light
bulb.
After a moment, they are welcomed into a dark and
depressing entry hall. What is that smell? Dogs?
Mildew? Something rotting in the kitchen?
Mr. Hopeful opens the entry closet. Out tumbles two golf
clubs, a basketball, a pile of old newspapers, several dog
leashes, a single running shoe and a game of scrabble.
Every outer garment owned by the Blank Family has
been crammed onto hangers, and whatever didn’t make it
to a hanger has taken up residence on the floor.
Next, they enter the living room. Despite the possibilities,
Mr. Hopeful is distracted by the light switch that doesn’t
turn on the ceiling light and the remnants of a late night
snack on the coffee table (plates of crumbs and a couple
of empty pop bottles).
Mrs. Hopeful is trying to figure out how to open the glass
curtains to see the view. They seem to be permanently
shut. After a struggle, she finally manages to pull them
back and discovers dirty windows, a chipped sill, and a
couple of interesting cobwebs.
There are numerous magazines stacked around the
room. There is also a fireplace, but it looks less than
appealing with a substantial build-up of ashes and one
burnt log half-hanging off the grate. The carpet has a
dark and unappealing stain.
Further down the dim hall is a small powder room. It
seems quite clean and tidy. Perhaps the Blanks have
forgotten that it’s there.
The dining room is interesting, however the Hopefuls are
rather surprised to see that the table is covered with
maps and little bits of scribbled papers, (perhaps the
Blanks are planning a trip?). There is a buffet crammed
with dishes, six chairs scattered about, an old stereo unit
against one wall, a wonky high-chair, three unmatched
serving tables, what looks like some lawn furniture, a dog
bed, and ten potted plants all in various stages of
disease.
Happily there is a sliding door onto a deck. But the lock
is broken and it would appear that the dog has clawed his
way straight through the screen.
Would the Hopefuls care to view the upstairs bedrooms?
By now, they are not surprised at the worn stair carpeting
or the fact that the railing is wobbly. The only things on
the wall are fingerprints. Mr. and Mrs. Hopeful have
pretty much given up trying to imagine themselves living
in this house.
The master bedroom is small, but adequate. The
exercise bike in the corner seems a bit out of place
though. The closet reveals a jumble, but nothing like the
entry hall closet downstairs. It is quite evident that Mrs.
Blank has a passion for shoes … which have been
tossed and hurled everywhere.
There is quite a pleasant little ensuite bathroom with a
vanity covered in pill containers and cosmetics. In fact,
there are so many pills, Mrs. Hopeful begins to worry that
there might be something seriously wrong with both the
Blanks. Otherwise, only some recaulking and mildew to
remove!
Next, they are shown the first of two smaller bedrooms.
This one obviously belongs to the youngest Blank, who
certainly does not lack for toys. Toy management,
perhaps. But not toys! Stuffed animals, dolls, parts of a
doll wardrobe, a disrupted tea set and bits of chalk pieces
are strewn around. Someone has attempted to make
the bed. The Hopefuls think it best not to look in this
closet.
They are warned that the other bedroom belongs to the
older Blank child. The door is badly stuck but with some
shoving, it opens to reveal a dark and cluttered interior.
There are posters of strange people plastered across
every inch of wall and straight across the ceiling. The
bed hasn’t been made for the past three years. The
Hopefuls figure that the closet must be empty since all
the clothing is heaped on the floor and protruding from
under the bed. There are five empty drinking glasses,
long forgotten on the windowsill, and the carpet looks as
though it is made out of CD and DVD cases.
The upstairs bathroom is completely chaotic. First
impressions? The shower curtain is pinned back to the
wall with thumb tacks. Towels have been dropped at
random. Globs of toothpaste are stuck to the sink. There
doesn’t appear to be any soap. And someone’s dirty
clothes missed the laundry basket by about two feet.
Finally, the kitchen. That smell the Hopefuls first noticed
is definitely stronger. It seems to be coming from under
the sink. Yes. The Blanks have failed to remove their
garbage.
The stove is dirty and appears to have some parts
missing. The refrigerator is okay, but plastered with
photos and drawings. A rude remark is scrawled on a
notice board. The counters are covered with appliances
and gadgets and bowls … and mail and school papers.
The windowsill contains a baseball, an earring, and a
broken pot with a wilted flower. The sink has definitely
seen better days. And the dog must have still been
munching on its food while drooling his way towards the
back door.
Mrs. Hopeful can’t imagine having her friends over. Mr.
Hopeful just wants to leave. No, he isn’t interested in the
basement. They aren’t interested in the house.
Setting The Stage To Sell Your Atlanta Home
What Mr. & Mrs. Blank failed to realize is that potential buyers connect (or
disconnect) emotionally with a house. The feelings that are generated when theyfirst see your home from the curb, and then when they step across the threshold …
those “first impressions” are extremely powerful.
It is the seller’s goal to create an atmosphere so inviting that Atlanta buyers are already
imagining where to place their furniture, before they have even completed the tour
of the property. “The bathroom is so sweet – it doesn’t matter that it is only the size
of a closet!” “The kitchen is so warm and inviting – I’m sure we can survive without
a dishwasher.” “I know we can squeeze our bedroom furniture under these slopingceilings – after all, that’s part of the home’s history.”
Remember being captivated by professionally decorated model homes? Each
room was intentionally laid out like a stage setting. Nothing seemed out of place.
Everything was carefully chosen to pull you in and satisfy your senses. They
succeeded to fire your imagination and make you dream about how pleasant it
would be to actually live, entertain, and raise a family within those walls.
With this in mind … let us take another look at #22 Maple Avenue.
#22 Maple Avenue Revisited
After months without a single offer, Mr. & Mrs. Blank
decide to take action. They diligently repair, clean and
create little “finishing touches” in each room.
Meanwhile, Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful still haven’t found the
perfect house. They drive once more past #22 Maple
.Avenue and think they are hallucinating on too many
cups of coffee. Immediately they arrange to see the
Blank’s home again!!
The Hopefuls return and this time do not have any trouble
parking in the driveway … which is empty of all vehicles
and looking very spacious. Once out of his car, Mr.
Hopeful realizes that the oil blob is gone and there
doesn’t appear to be any additional drips anywhere.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hopeful is admiring the new paving
stones in the walkway, the trimmed shrubs, and the
charming little garden of white flowers under the maple
tree. Wood chips have been added around the base of
the other trees on the front lawn. The grass has been
recently mowed, a garden hose is neatly coiled, the bike
is out of sight … and all dog debris has been collected
and removed.
Mr. Hopeful pauses for a moment to get another overall
view of the front of the Blank’s home. The shingles are
replaced, the eaves troughs repaired, and the Christmas
lights are down. Bright blue shutters have been added,
and there are new window boxes brimming with pastel
flowers and green ivy. He joins his wife on the porch.
The pots of dead flowers have been replaced by a
spotless white swing glider filled with yellow and white
striped cushions. There is a shiny brass doorknocker, a
bulb in the porch light, and the front door has been
painted the same bright blue as the shutters. The
Hopefuls feel a sense of excitement as they hear the
doorbell chime.
After a moment, they are welcomed into a bright and
cheery entry hall.
The Hopefuls notice several immediate changes. There
is a polished mahogany table featuring an arrangement
of white, silk hydrangeas – and a colorful little basket to
hold the day’s mail. The walls have been painted a
cream colour to give the entry a feeling of light, and the
Blanks have hung a tall mirror at the far end to give the
illusion of depth to the small space.
The closet contains only spring coats and jackets and
there are actually empty hangers.
And what is that smell? Coffee brewing in the kitchen?
They are led into the living room. Classical music
emanates quietly from a hidden CD player and seems to
float around the room. The Hopeful’s are simply
enchanted. Mrs. Blank has obviously been busy. There
are new pale green tie-back curtains revealing sparkling
windows and the lovely old maple tree in the front yard.
A comfy armchair, with woven cushions, has been placed
next to the window, in the sunshine. Beside that is a
small table with a reading lamp and a basket containing
Mrs. Blank’s colourful embroidery.
The coffee table is no longer covered with plates and
pop. Instead there is a glass bowl filled with yellow and
orange dried flowers and a sumptuous book on “Gardens
Of England”. The sofa and chairs are pulled away from
the walls and now form an intimate grouping in the center
of the room. The fireplace has been cleaned out for the
summer, and a pretty arrangement of birch logs lie on the
grate.
Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful are beginning to mentally arrange
where to place their furniture. They feel sure the piano
will fit in somehow and can just imagine how lovely their
collection of Victorian plates will look over the mantle.
Leaving the living room, the Hopefuls move eagerly down
the hall, taking a moment to peek into the small powder
room. It has been completely done over in white -
white walls, white accessories, white towels, a white dish
with white soap, white curtains and a little white mat on
the floor. The only color comes from a small
arrangement of scarlet red geraniums on the counter.
The Hopeful’s can’t believe it. And this was the good
room!
Can the dining room actually be the same place? Mr. &
Mrs. Blank have removed everything except the buffet
(which is now lit with an interior light), the table, four
chairs, one serving table and three ferns in hanging
copper pots. And … the dining table is elegantly set for
four people. Delicate white china, sparkling crystal,
silverware, and another magnificent arrangement of silk
flowers, this time picking up the cream and rose colors in
the new curtain valance over the sliding doors. Mr.
Hopeful checks and both the lock and screen have been
repaired.
The Hopefuls actually notice the backyard this time.
There is a large wooden deck … complete with pots of
flowers, inviting white wicker chairs, a colorful set of
croquet mallets and balls tucked away in the corner, and
a garden that’s spilling over with well-tended flowers.
Mr. Hopeful notices a hammock at rest under the shady
oak trees, and a brightly painted bird feeder that seems
quite popular with a group of little birds. He envisions
himself lying out there and watching the summer clouds.
Perhaps the Blanks might sell the croquet set.
Next come the upper bedrooms. The worn carpet on the
staircase has been taken up and now the natural wood of
the steps and risers is polished and shining. The railing
has been securely anchored and, instead of fingerprints
on the wall, there is a collection of framed floral
watercolors.
By now, Mr. & Mrs. Hopeful are positively mesmerized.
They step into the master bedroom. The room appears
to be much larger. Mrs. Blank has purchased coordinating
bed linens, comforter, pillows and matching
curtains for the window. The room is floating in a print of
small violets and rosebuds. Instead of the exercise bike,
there is an over-stuffed armchair with a cloud of lace
pillows. A new hope chest has been added at the foot of
the bed and an interesting collection of hatboxes
decorates one corner. Not a shoe to be seen.
The ensuite bathroom has been wallpapered to blend in
with the bedroom and is sparkling clean. There is a new
shower curtain and matching towels. The vanity displays
only a dish of pretty soaps and a little collection of delicate
seashells.
The younger Blank’s room demonstrates a healthy dose of
crowd control. There are red, yellow and blue net
hammocks hanging from the ceiling, containing the vast
array of stuffed animals. All the dolls are sitting quietly in a
row on a steamer trunk, as though waiting for their picture
to be taken, and the chalk is back by the blackboard.
One little table shows off the tea set, and there is a bear
sitting in each of the two chairs, eagerly waiting to begin
the formalities of drinking the tea. A magical wallpaper
border of blue sky seems to float around the room and the
bed is made. Mrs. Hopeful is thinking about her
granddaughter visiting.
The older Blank’s room … well, there is now a sign on the
door, which reads, “Condemned”. The Hopefuls decline to
look inside.
The second bathroom is greatly improved, although still a
bit “rustic”. It appears that Mrs. Blank’s main objective is to
just try and keep it clean. However, the laundry basket has
been removed … along with that peculiar shower curtain.
Mr. Hopeful thinks the room seems brighter. But, perhaps
there is simply less in it.
By the time the Hopefuls reach the kitchen, they have
mentally bought the house. They can hardly take in any
more, they are so excited – and worried that someone else
might be placing an offer ahead of them. They can’t help
but marvel at the changes that have been meticulously
carried out by Mr. & Mrs. Blank.
Even the kitchen has been cleaned, polished, and swept.
All appliances are in one piece and working properly. The
counter is empty except for an open cookbook, a beautiful
cutting board and a white china bowl of oranges and
bananas … oh, and a coffee-maker brewing fresh coffee.
Laid out on a tray are three mugs, cream, sugar, and a
plate of fresh cookies for the guests. All the clutter has
been removed from the refrigerator, the windowsill only
displays a ceramic pot filled with tumbling ivy, and the
kitchen table has bright red placemats. There are
matching blinds in the windows. The dog is apparently
eating somewhere else these days and posted to the
notice board is a list typed up by the Blanks containing all
the reasons why the Hopefuls will enjoy living in this
house.
Mr. Hopeful takes a quick look down the basement, and
reports back that it is sound, dry, clean and everything
seems to be in working order. He also describes a
cheery little laundry room.
The Hopefuls buy the house that day for more than they
would have paid, if they had been desperate enough to
purchase it originally. By making these changes, the
Blanks were able to meet their moving deadline. They
received a larger offer than what would have originally
transpired, and any new furnishings, linens, towels,
drapes and accessories will look fabulous in their new
residence.
Getting To Work
Unfortunately, very few Atlanta Georgia homes are already picture perfect
when the owners make
the decision to sell. Most require anywhere from minor
repairs to major
renovations. How little or how much work you wish to
put into your Atlanta, Cumming Georgia, Roswell Georgia house is
entirely up to you. However, remember the more
attractive your home, the more
appealing it will be to prospective buyers.
And the more appealing … the faster the
sale (and the higher the offer!!).
To assist you with this important element of
Atlanta house selling, I have made up
individual charts for each of the areas normally found in and
around a home. If you
have additional areas, such as a library or home office,
most of the ideas listed will
also apply to these locations as well. At the end of
each chart are blank charts for
you to add in your own special requirements. You
will also find a column for
checking off work that still needs to be done and
another column for noting which
work has been completed.
Finally, there is a special “Don’t Panic … Buyer’s Are
Coming” chart. This is a
helpful reminder list of things to do just prior to showing
your home to prospects.
| Atlanta Living Room Continued... • Refinish or polish hardwood floors • Professionally clean the carpeting or area rugs • Repair any worn spots on carpeting, or replace with area rugs • Professionally clean window treatments • Be consistent with window treatments on all the windows in the room • Clean ceiling fans and make sure they are operational • Remove any “extra” furniture that crowds the room • Remove and box any unnecessary dishes from your china cabinet • Clean the lighting fixtures • Repair and stain any nicks or scratches in the furniture • Vacuum the carpet / rugs and sweep the floor • Dust the furniture, windows and lights • Polish any wooden pieces • Polish and shine any brass hardware |
| .• An elegantly set table for four – with china, crystal and silverware • A low centerpiece of either silk flowers or candles • A lace or embroidered runner on a side table • A side table arranged with a tea set, cups and saucers, and a couple of ceramic bowls of fruit • The interior light on in the china buffet • A grouping of pretty painted dishes on the wall • The overhead chandelier on a dimmer switch • A small decorator lamp for accent lighting • A large, framed mirror across one wall to add a sense of depth • A dramatic curtain swag across the tops of windows (and sliding door) • Potted palm trees and hanging ferns drawing your eye away from bare corners • A large accent rug on the floor in the center of the room • The use of chair rail molding, wallpaper and/or wallpaper border within the room. |
| Kitchens in Atlanta Real Estate • Clear off counter tops of practically everything. • Buyers don’t want to see a clutter of small appliances, gadgets, mixing bowls, etc. • Clean refrigerator, stove and microwave • Clean vents and exhaust hoods • Check lights and timers on appliances • Wipe down surface of cupboards and drawers • If cupboards are old, consider giving them a fresh coat of paint, new handles and perhaps some interesting molding on the outside of the doors • Cupboard doors close tightly • Replace any broken handles • Drawers open and shut without sticking • Silverware and cooking utensil drawers are organized • Wash the inside of the refrigerator (including shelves and food crispers) • Add a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors • Throw out any expired food or old left-overs • Kitchen sink is spotless • Use grout cleaner around sink and recaulk if necessary • Repair / replace chips in countertops |
| • Clean any stains on countertop • Scrub the cupboard under the kitchen sink • Organize cleaning items into either a pail or on a special cleaning rack • Repair any leaky faucets or under-the-sink pipes • Wash and wax floor. Remove old wax build-up • If linoleum is worn, replace or cover with an area rug • Clean curtains and window blinds • Clean ceiling fan • Clean light fixtures • Copper pot display is shining • Organize Pantry with boxes, cans and jars placed neatly on the shelves • Get rid of any unhealthy plants • Clean pet “dining area” • Kitchen is well lit • Dust the furniture • Vacuum rugs and sweep the floor |
| • Colored glass bottles in the window • A countertop arrangement of an open cookbook, a cheery bowl of fruit and a vase of garden flowers • New dish towels and matching pot holders (bring them out if buyers are coming) • Colorful burner covers on the stovetop • A new area rug at the sink (bring it out if buyers are coming) • Mini-blinds, café curtains or a dramatic valance in the windows • The overhead light on a dimmer switch • The table set with bright place mats and napkins • Wallpaper, and/or wallpaper border • Strip lighting under the cupboards • Window ledge with tiny terra-cotta pots of herbs • Small basket with scented soaps • Decorative tiles in splash area behind sink • One cupboard with clear door to display glassware • A hanging rack to display your kitchen dishes • A mug rack with unusual mugs • Sponges and dish mops in a porcelain bowl by the sink • Cooking utensils hanging from a rack near the stove, or in a pottery container beside the stove |
| The Cumming Georgia Real Estate Basement / Laundry … Unfinished basement has freshly painted walls • Colorful area rugs in basement and in laundry area • Artificial greenery in laundry area • Laundry has a “drying rack” • Owner’s manuals conveniently placed so buyer can check them • An “interrupted” board game laid out on a table in a Recreation Room • A sofa, two comfy chairs and a coffee table arranged in front of a television. A warm afghan folded in the corner of the sofa. A bowl of popcorn and a movie • video placed on the table |
| • Ventilate … no smell of damp or must • Make sure all of the basement is brightly lit • Clean the furnace, humidifier, hot water heater and circuit breaker box • Change any filters • Cover water heater with insulated jacket • All light switches work • Pull chain lights have chains, and are easy to reach • Arrange basement contents so it is easy to walk around • Handrail on basement stairs is secure • Arrange for an exterminator, if necessary • Clean and deodorize any pet areas • Fix any water leakage and repair damage • Electrical system is up-to-date and fuse box is not overloaded • Clean laundry appliances • Appliances are in working order • Keep dirty clothes out of sight • Floor and walls around washer and dryer are clean • Laundry area is brightly lit • All pipes and connections are in working order • Vacuum, sweep and dust basement |
| The Bedroom(s) … • Professionally clean carpeting • Polish hardwood flooring • Clean the curtains • Remove excess furniture to create a feeling of space • Clear personal items from the dresser • Valuables are hidden from view • Sliding closet doors open easily and are not obstructed • Closet doors open and close tightly • Organize closets and keep only what is totally necessary. Box and label the rest for moving • Keep shoes on a shoe rack in closet • Use closet organizers • Make the beds • Hang-up and put away clothes • Dry clean comforters and bedspreads • Clean light fixtures • Use tri-light bulbs in table lamps • Clean ceiling fan • Dust furniture • Vacuum the carpet / rugs and sweep the floor • Use boxes under the bed for hidden storage Pretty sheets, matching comforter and a cloud of pillows on the bed • Window treatment co-ordinated with comforter and bed linen • Small, colorful scatter rugs • A “thinking corner” with a comfortable chair, little table with a lamp, a plate of cookies and a magazine • A ceiling fan above the bed • A mirror on the wall, reflecting the view from the window • A night table with a table runner, a framed photo, • a reading lamp, a book and a single flower in a vase • A writing desk by the window • Lovely framed prints on the walls • Wallpaper / wallpaper border / chair rail Child’s Bedroom • Colorful wallpaper border … a child’s theme (sky and stars, nursery rhymes, a secret garden …) • Large, brightly colored baskets for toys • Hanging net hammocks filled with stuffed animals • A child’s table set for tea • An easel displaying the latest piece of artwork • Pastel painted walls • The bed turned down, with a small doll or animal waiting on the pillow |
Looking for a Home For Sale In Canton Georgia? Them Call Dwayne West with Solid Source Realty, and he will help you find the perfect Canton Georgia Homes For Sale.