room. Every room should have a purpose and be user- friendly. • Reestablish boundaries. If your living room is also the playroom, the toys need to go into hibernation. Colorful dolls and cars all over the floor are clutter to home- seekers. Do you golf in your hallway? Pack up the putting green. Is a room both bedroom and office? Make it one or the other. • Polishing. Do a deep and thorough cleaning of every single room, and pay attention to the smallest details. When was the last time that you polished the wood or washed the windows? It’s time to do it now. The toilet should shine. Don’t forget the ceiling fans with their dusty blades. • Put away memories. It might be difficult to do if you are staying in the house until it sells, but it is now time to take down your family photos, certificates, sports banners, and anything else that has a personal touch. You want the potential buyers to see the house as an immediate home for them, rather than have them subconsciously weighed down with the need to clear the house of all your belongings. • Fresh air. Open up the windows frequently! Use sublte air-fresheners throughout the home. Do not use air freshners that are too strong as they may not appeal to some people. Step back and look at your house with the eyes of a potential buyer who has never entered through the door. Do a walk- around on the outside, and then go slowly through the house to see what can be cleared away or scrubbed down. All of this might take some time, but it will save you money, whether you
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