JoAnne Gretencord Route 47 & Waverly Morris, IL 60450 815-942-3900 Toll Free 888-942-3901 Email:  jgresells@aol.com

HELPFUL HINTS
FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

Make a Good First Impression.
The grounds should be properly maintained summer or winter. Have the lawn mowed and raked, shrubs trimmed, driveway and sidewalks swept or shoveled clean and all debris removed from property.

Be Conscientious About Lighting.
Arrange shades or drapes to give the maximum amount of light in dark rooms. Replace all burned out light bulbs and repair faulty switches. Light colors add cheerfulness to dark rooms, especially kitchens.

Make Small Repairs.
Badly cracked plaster. loose door knobs, crooked light fixtures are among the small items that can be easily repaired. Small things sometimes hinder a sale more than large repairs.

Display Storage Space.
Removing all unnecessary accumulations in attic, stairways, basement and garage. They will appear much larger than they actually are.

Correct Faulty Plumbing.
Leaky facets can discolor porcelain and call attention to plumbing defects.

Eliminate Distraction.
Keep radios and televisions turned off or down during a showing to eliminate any possible distraction of the prospect.

Create an Appealing Appearance.
Minor redecorating is recommended, if needed, such as painting, rug shampooing, etc.

Keep Pets Out of the Way.
If you have pets, it is recommended they be kept out of the way or out of the house, if possible. Some people are uneasy around animals and they may detract from the prospects attention.

Control the Temperature.
Your home should be kept comfortably warm in the cool weather and moderately cool in the hot weather, through air conditioning, if available or other alternative measures.

Don't Apologize.
Apologies should never be made for any adverse appearance of your home. It only emphasizes the defects.

Make the Buyer at Ease.
Buyers ask a great many questions of our realtors when being shown through a home and most prefer to do this in privacy. The inspection should proceed without your immediate presence. The buyer usually feels more relaxed. If you insist on being present, please don't discuss terms, price, etc. We will handle these issues.

Inform Us.
It is important to furnish us with accurate figures on taxes and utilities and inform us of all recent major improvements such as roof, driveway, water heater, etc.

Negotiate.
If a reasonable offer is presented, it is wise to negotiate immediately, it may never be repeated.

Be Prepared.
Always be prepared to show your property. If you delay a prospect, it may lose you the sale. Your real estate agent will always arrange appointments with you in advance. always keep your sales agent informed of where you can be reached at all times.

Our Advice.
Finally, may we remind you, all our staff and years of experience are available to furnish you with expert advice on any problems or questions that may arise.