1. Hire a housekeeper. I am actually revisiting this one because it is so important. I actually hire them my selves for my listings now just to make sure that this is done. Buyers love coming into a home that is clean and it screams to them that the house is well cared for and valuable.

2. Have your furnace serviced. When representing buyers I can’t tell you how important it is to have that furnace serviced and in working order. We always ask for it to be serviced prior to close to ensure that it is a functioning furnace and when we see it hasn’t been serviced in many years it makes us think the house might have other deferred maintenance. Hiring a professional to service the furnace prior to putting it on the market can save a lot of money and potential problems down the road in a transaction. It also ensures that the furnace is working as efficiently as possible and that is good for you and the environment anyway.

3. Clean the roof: Not sure if I have touched on this one before, but moss on roof equals deferred maintenance to the buyer. We get a lot of moss on our rooftops in Seattle, but staying on top of it is a great way to make that roof last longer and also let the buyer know you care.

4. Have the windows professionally cleaned: The windows around here get filthy and I think the grey days in the winter sometimes prevent us from seeing just how thick that layer of dirt and dust is. I personally have my windows professionally cleaned on the outside twice a year and can tell you that each time it is like a curtain has been lifted. The interiors are brightened and my dog walks into the slider by accident. Clean windows make a house show better.

5. Faucets & Fixtures: Besides paint, this is one of the single best things you can do to improve an interior. Going through and replacing dated faucets and light fixtures improves a home’s appeal considerably. If you are wondering what to replace them with then go look at model homes and see what is being used. Perusing a Pottery Barn magazine always seems to help as well. Remember that if the dated faucets and fixtures are in good working order they will be happily received at a number of reclaimed/recycled building supply stores throughout the Puget Sound.

6. Carpet: OK listen up because this one is a biggie. If your light colored carpet has been cleaned and still has those horrible dark edges on it then it is shot and needs to be replaced. Carpet is cheap cheap cheap and putting in new carpet will be far more appealing than leaving those old dingy carpet for the buyer to deal with. I have seen so many carpets lately that just didn’t clean well. It is particularly noticeable on stairways and just needs to be replaced. Even though it is not easy replacing it prior to putting the home on the market is ideal for higher buyer appeal. Many agents will suggest a carpet credit, but in my experience it is better to choose a tasteful neutral carpet and put it in prior to listing your home. Again, this is where a trip to a few model homes might be helpful in determining what is in style.

7. Get a storage unit!!! Please please please do not cram everything in the garage. It just communicates to the buyer that your house is not big enough and that you don’t want them to see that. Storage units aren’t expensive and it will pay off in the long run.

 Alright, well those are my new lucky seven extra tips for selling your house in the current Seattle real estate market for 2009!  Let me know if you have specific questions or need more clarification.  I am happy to help if you need it.