Giving Your Home The On-The-Market Makeover       
          
 You work with a Certified Residential Specialist because he 

or she is best able to sell your home quickly and profitably. 

But remember: Your relationship with your Certified Residential 

Specialist is a partnership. While he or she markets your 

property and screens potential buyers, it's up to you give your

home an on-the-market makeover, a simple, inexpensive sprucing up

that can go a long way toward a speedy sale.

With that in mind, here are some helpful hints gathered from 

Certified Residential Specialists across the country. 

Before The Showings Begin 

Hint: First Impressions are Lasting Impressions The exterior 

of your home often determines how buyers will view the interior,

so: 
• Make sure your front entrance is clean and inviting 
• Paint or replace your front door if it's faded or worn 
• Add some paint to shutters, trim and any other outside features

showing signs of wear 

 

Hint: Beauty Is More than Skin Deep 
Buyers often see the surface condition of your home as a sign 

of what's underneath, so: 
• Keep windows and floors clean 
• Replace faded wallpaper, and glue any areas that have come 

away from the wall. 
• Repair worn woodwork. 
• Repaint scarred or dirty walls in a neutral color 
• Steam clean carpeting or replace it if necessary 
• Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet

drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws 
• Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers  

 

Hint: Accentuate the Positive 
Try to see your home with a fresh perspective and arrange each

room to bring out its best attributes, including: 
• Open draperies and curtains to let the light in during 

the showing. 
• Remove all unnecessary clutter from your attic, basement 

and closets to better display spacious rooms (consider storage

or a garage sale to dispose of extraneous items). 
• Arrange all your rooms neatly and remove excess furniture. 
• Keep fresh, clean towels in the bathroom 
• Use candles or air fresheners to make the room smell pleasant. 

 

Hint: Put Your Home in the Best Light 
Strategically lighting your home, even during daytime showings, 

can create a cozy mood and highlight positive attributes of each 

room, so: 
• Avoid the use of overhead lighting that make rooms look washed

out and lifeless. 
• Be creative and arrange lamps to help smaller rooms seem larger,

and large rooms seem more intimate. 
• Use lighting to highlight the "living areas" of your home,

such as a pair of chairs near a fireplace, or a table in a 

breakfast area.  

1. Put the spotlight on the strengths and potential of your home 

2. Create the right mood and atmosphere given the room's function,

color scheme, etc. 

3. Accent the positive aspects and unique features of each area

of your home

4. Define the space 

5. Bring the room to life 

 

After The Showings Begin

Hint: Leave the Selling to the Professional 
Buyers often feel uncomfortable in the presence of a homeowner, so: 
• Try not to be present during inspections. 
• If you are home, never apologize for the appearance of your

property. 
• Only your Certified Residential Specialist should discuss 

any objections and subjects like price, terms, possession and

other factors with the buyers. 

 

Hint: Keep the Disturbances Down  
Potential homebuyers have a lot to take in, so minimize

distractions. 
• Pipe in classical, jazz or soft rock music, but keep the

volume low. 
• If possible, turn off the ringer on your phone during showings. 
• Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way 
• preferably out of the house 

 

Hint: Create a Homey Atmosphere 
Buyers try to picture themselves and their family living in

your home, so: 
• Create a pleasant aroma by baking cookies or bread, or

placing cornmeal in a pie plate in a warm oven on the day 

of the showing  
• Keep the heat or air conditioner at comfortable levels. 
• If you have a fireplace, light it during wintertime showings. 

 

Hint: Have Records Available. 
Buyers try to picture themselves and their family living 

in your home, so: 
Even if a buyer doesn't study them, having records available 

can make it clear you are conscientious and have nothing to hide.  
• Have copies of your gas, electric and water bill from the 

last 12 months available. 
• Be ready to show all home improvement and repair bills.