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K A R E N A N N M A R T I N The Essential Guide To A Fast, Stress-FreeAnd Profitable SaleFROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BEST SELLING BOOK 13 Inexpensive Ways to HelpSell Your Home

PREFACE I understand not everyone has thetime, money & resources to bestprepare a home to sell. There are small things you can do that are low cost that will help sellyour home quicker and for moremoney. Using my experience showing homes,I have a good understanding whatbuyers are looking for and what youcan do to help sell a home,

Get rid of clutter. Throw out stacks ofnewspapers and magazines.Leave plenty of counter spacefor the home buyers to see inthe kitchen & bath . Throw or give awayanything you no longer use orwant to move! Clean out the garage &basement. Have a yard sale!

Lighten and Brighten the Home. This is one of my Top “Staging” Tips Wash your windows & screens to letmore natural light inside. Consider removing curtain panels &leave just valances to let in even morelight especially to show off a great view. Put higher wattage bulbs in lightsockets to make rooms seem brighter,especially basements & other darkrooms. Replace any burnt out bulbs. When its time to take professionalphotos of the home, Natural light isbest.

Keep everything Extra Clean Wash fingerprints from lightswitch plates. Mop & wax floors. Clean the stove & refrigerator. Aclean house makes a better firstimpression & convinces homebuyers that the home has been wellcared for. Pay particular attention tothe kitchen & baths.

Smells Often when we live in a home, smellsaccumulate and we just get used tothem. Clean carpeting and curtains toeliminate cooking odors, smoke, & petsmells. Open windows if possible. Try not tolet anyone smoke in the home the dayof a showing. Pet smells can be tricky. There arecharcoal odor & must absorbing bagsyou can buy at HomeDepot to throwunder your sofa & chairs that work verywell. (Also sold at Chewy.com )

Make minor home repairs When a buyer sees many thingsunkept in a home it can create abad impression. Small problems, such as stickydoors, torn screens, crackedcaulking, or a dripping faucet, mayseem trivial, but it will give thebuyer the impression that the homewasn't well maintained

Consider Painting Fresh interior & exterior paint is, dollarfor dollar, the most profitableimprovement home sellers can make. Paint using neutral colors but notwhite, it appears too harsh. This is my #1Recommendation to get you Top Dollar! Painting Instantly freshes up a room. It's the biggest bang for your buck.

If your budget allows, Install new lightfixtures - instantly updates a room.Replacing worn carpets or flooring - Ask your real estate professional foradvice. Once in a slow market I listed ahome and the seller did not want tofinish the hardwoods. After a few weeksshe did have the floors done, I advertisedGleaming Hard wood flooring held anOpen House and Voila the home wasSold ! Yet I have to say in certain homes I mayadvise against installing new carpets orflooring.

Tidy up your yard. Cut the grass, rake theleaves & trim the bushes. Put out planters orPlant a few bright flowers near the entryway.Home buyers will drive by first then decide ifthey want to see the inside. You only get 1First Impression. Patch holes in your driveway & reapplysealant, if applicable. Yes this is the same House Before & After

" Stage " the home to sell. I am a Certified Home Marketing Stager, II have seen over and over how Staging ahome to sell will help it sell quicker & formore Money, It can be inexpensive & fun!

More Helpful Tips Beautify the front entrance. Clean up leaves & cobwebs. Paint the front door if needed. Place down a new welcome mat (a black one to hide dirt & mud ) Add a colorful planter. 1stimpressions mean a lot!

About Karen Martin, Karen Martin is a seasoned Realtor who hasbeen helping home sellers and homebuyers in the South Coast area of MA & RIsince 2003. Using her real estateexperience, skills and training, she strives tohelp you with a smoother home sale orhome purchaseKaren is so passionate about helping yousell your home quicker and for Top dollarshe offers her clients No cost “Staging”Services. See her Youtube video here tolearn more.