shouldn’t say, “I live here,” but instead, it should seem very accessible and whisper to the potential buyers, “You could live here. Can’t you see yourself in that sunny kitchen, smiling at your angelic children as they do their homework quietly and neatly at the kitchen table while you whip up a gourmet meal for the whole family to enjoy?” Preparing your home will take some work. It’s important to create an illusion for the prospective buyers in which they imagine themselves living there. Remove as many personal items as possible, especially things that aren’t included in the sale. Clear off the kitchen counters, remove extra furniture to create space, and give the house a deep cleaning. Shampoo the carpets, steam clean the tile, and scrub the bathrooms. Touch up scuffs on the walls and sweep out the garage. Prune the bushes, weed-whack the walkways, and deadhead the flowers. You want your home to look like a model in the local “Parade of Homes.” Appeal to the buyer’s sense of smell. An unpleasant odor coming from a trash can or litter box can kill a sale. Make sure your home smells good! Open the windows, place fresh flowers throughout the house, bake some cookies, or light a scented candle. Make the beds. Wipe out the sinks. Pick up the towels. Put the kids and their school backpacks in the car (along with Fido) with family or friends for a nice long drive in the country. Having pets in the home during an open house is at the very least a distraction, and could even be a liability. You want buyers to concentrate on the home without worrying about letting a cat out or being bit by a dog who’s out of sorts and confused by the presence of strangers in his home and his instinct to protect his territory. Remember that the exterior of the house must be clean and welcoming if you want people to come inside. Either hire a professional to power wash your home and walkways, or rent a 54
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