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• Clean the window treatments. Wash the windows so that the natural light will enhance your living space. • Vacuum rugs, shampoo carpets, and mop floors thoroughly. KITCHEN AND BATH: FOCUS ON HIGH IMPACT AREAS The most important rooms in your home are the kitchen and bathrooms. A kitchen can sell a house because it is the heart of a home, the place family and friends gather to enjoy one another’s company. Buyers will be turned off by dirt and grime, cooking smells, and trash. Clean all cabinet surfaces as well as under the sink. Bathrooms are so important to Americans that most homes have at least two or three. As you work toward selling your home, it is imperative that the bathrooms are kept clean and odor-free. Potential buyers might forgive a less-than-stellar child’s room, but a questionable bathroom or kitchen could cost you a sale. PET PEEVES Pets are wonderful, but homebuyers want to see your home without them. Domestic animals are not unique features or selling points of homes; pet dander and odor aren’t going to provide a positive viewing experience. Some prospects might have allergies, others may not like animals, and for all, they are an unnecessary distraction. Minimize the presence of pets. Dog dishes, cat litter boxes, and beds need to be clean. Pets should be relegated to cages or backyards while showing your home. With all the staging work complete, you are now ready to list and showcase your home. In the next section, you will learn how to price your home. A real estate professional is your best information source for how to sell your home quickly without lowering the price. When selling your home, there is much to know about pricing, marketing, and negotiations. • • •
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