Coalition Corner: Business training tools for HR staff, real estate licensees and other service professionals in the re

1. Coalition Corner: • Business training tools for HR staff, real estate licensees and • other service professionals in the relocation and real estate industries Sell This House!The Worldwide ERC® Coalition thanks Karen McRae, SCRP, GMSJenny Pruitt & Associates REALTORS, for this edition. © 2006, Employee Relocation Council/Worldwide ERC® Coalition

2. Program objectives • This program supplements an editorial feature in Worldwide ERC®’s Mobility magazine • This segment will: • Offer tips for making the most of a first impression when preparing to sell a home in a competitive housing market • Offer tips for marketing vacant properties

3. A Good First Impression • It is beneficial if relocating employees can view their homes through the eyes of prospective buyers • Particularly in a competitive real estate market, a good first impression is crucial • The following tips can help prepare a home…

4. Exterior • Pressure wash to clean and brighten exterior surfaces (siding, decks, patios, sidewalks and steps, etc.) • Freshen up paint on siding, trim, shutters, etc. (Be sure color choices conform to any homeowner’s association guidelines!) • Repair or replace any damaged siding or rotted wood • Clean gutters and downspouts • Repair broken or cracked windows and screens; wash all windows • Repair or replace outdoor lighting, particularly if inoperable or outdated • Repair cracks in walkways and driveways • Replace any rotted wood or loose boards, railings, etc. on decks or other exterior surfaces • Add fresh potted plants or flowers to porches and entryways

5. Landscaping • Keep lawn freshly mowed; trimmed at edges • Re-seed or sod any bare spots • Remove toys, bikes, garden hoses, etc. • Remove or replace any dead shrubs, hedges or trees • Trim and prune shrubs • Skirt any trees that block the view of property • Add color with seasonal flowers in pots or beds

6. Interior: General Living Areas • Wash and ensure windows open/close • Replace unusual or unique wall coverings with neutral colors • Replace small or ineffective light fixtures (poor lighting can make a house seem gloomy and uninviting) • Repair any hairline cracks or nail pops in walls • If any drapery rods, window treatments, or fixtures are moving with the seller, remove them and repair all damage before marketing • Check ceilings for leak stains; repair cause of leak, repair ceiling, and repaint • Replace all burned out light bulbs; make certain every light switch works and wall plates are clean

7. Interior: General Living Areas • Make certain all sliding doors are in tracks (rub tracks with paraffin or candle wax for easier movement) • Clean carpets, paying careful attention to heavy traffic areas and stains • Eliminate pet or smoke odors; clean draperies and carpets to remove stubborn odors • De-clutter furniture and closet areas—less is better to make rooms appear larger • Clear excess furnishings to maximize feeling of space and comfort

8. Interior: Kitchen Probably the most important room in the house, the kitchen needs to really sparkle! • Thoroughly clean oven, cook tops, ventilating hoods inside and out • Replace badly worn flooring • Clean walls, floors, sinks, and fixtures • Clean and polish cabinets (consider professionally painting dull, dark cabinets) • Remove clutter (toasters, coffee makers, can openers, and the like) from countertops to make space • Remove personal photos, notes or magnets from refrigerator • Repair any dripping faucets or slow-running drains

9. Interior: Bathroom(s) Probably the second most important room(s) in the house, the condition of the bathroom(s) speaks volumes to potential buyers about the condition of the rest of the house… • Thoroughly clean walls, floors, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and shower stalls • Use special cleaning products to remove stains from toilets, tiles, bathtubs, and sinks • Replace old caulking around bathtubs (thoroughly clean grout between tiles) • Keep all mirrors shining • Unclog drains and repair dripping faucets • Clean and polish dull cabinets and de-clutter any surface tops or storage areas

10. Interior: Fireplace & Storage Areas • Make sure fireplace is clean (remove ashes, repair or replace old or broken screens/doors, polish fireplace tools) • Clean and clear out storage areas (attic, basement, garage, etc.), renting a storage facility if necessary • Ensure adequate lighting in storage areas, especially on stairs • To brighten a gloomy basement, consider painting ceilings and walls a light color and installing high-wattage bulbs • Repair cracks in the basement floor with concrete patch mix • Clean any oil spills • Stack items neatly and close to the walls so space will look larger (but not against wall, to allow enough room for viewing)

11. Showtime! Once the property is ready, here are a few tips for making the most of open houses/viewings: • Keep draperies and blinds open to let in light • Turn on all lamps and hallway and stairwell lights; turn on lights in closets, over counter tops, and cook tops (even during the day) • At night, turn on porch lights and outdoor lighting • Add bowls of fresh fruit to kitchen countertops and fresh flowers • to table • In the kitchen, create fragrant aromas such as fresh-baked cookies, brewed coffee, or cinnamon simmering on the stove • Set the kitchen table with attractive, color-coordinated place mats, napkins, and china

12. General showing tips continued • Display fresh, color-coordinated towels and shower curtains in the bathroom(s) • Place new soap in all soap dishes • Remove everyday toiletries/personal effects from visible areas in bathroom(s) • Pile logs neatly in fireplace. In summer, nestle fresh, fragrant pine boughs in the fireplace. In winter, stack logs neatly in the fireplace, or if at home, consider having a fire crackling in the fireplace • Play soft background music—no television

13. Vacant Homes Selling a vacant home may require an opposite approach – adding a little “clutter”! Consider stimulating buyer’s imaginations and making the property feel less stark with such items as: • Table settings/placemats/wine glasses • Decorative pillows, candles, floral arrangements • Towels for the bath(s) • Appealing items for shelves and counters Focus on drawing attention to the best features of the home, such as the kitchen, fireplaces, and baths