You may wish to print this page as a "Check List" for future references.

These suggestions are just that, suggestions to consider. What we do to stage your home will be a Team effort and subject to your particular needs and wants. Here is a Cleaning Tips & Links Page

How to Prepare Your Metro Detroit Home for Showing

Let's face it..most people don't live this way! Many of these tips may appear overstated or unrealistic to you and your lifestyle. However, your Wayne County home has now become a product offered for sale. Just as an automobile is cleaned and detailed before you try to sell it.  We are detailing your Metro Detroit house, or as the REALTORS say, "Staging Your metro Detroit House to Sell." We want to make the product, Your House, appealing to the widest pool of buyers. The closer you can get your home to the "perfect," the better the chance your goals of a quick sale at a great price will be realized.

PLEASE don't be offended. You deserve more than a sign out front, an internet listing, and an occasional ad in the paper. Below are some of  the items we have discovered over the years to help your home sell fast. The most important thing is - They work. Your home will be compared to model homes that are vacant or perfectly staged and always clean, open and spotless. These suggestions will usually get your home sold quicker and for more money.  The home that is in the best shape and is move in ready sells first.

If you are selling your Livonia home.... Remember you are competing against all the other Livonia homes for sale.  Also remember that you are competing against other Metro Detroit homes for sale because most of the time Michigan home buyers are looking at homes in several different cities.  It is not unusual for a Livonia home buyer to be looking in Novi or Canton too.


Little repairs that will save you big.
-Remove all wallpaper.  Wallpaper means work to a buyer and is usually just one persons dream.  Most likely the wallpaper that you love is the buyers nightmare. 
-Put higher wattage light bulbs everywhere. The added light can make a difference. Let the light shine in.  Replace any burned out lights & clean the fixtures.
-Moldings should be varnished in natural wood colors or white.  Off colors should be repainted.  Brown or grey painted moldings should be painted white or light beige.
-Clean and remove any stains on the carpeting.  Hire a carpet cleaning service if necessary.
-Fix & Repaint your walls in a neutral color.  A freshly painted neutral home sells quicker.
-Open all curtains, drapes, blinds, etc. during the day.
-Odors - Find the source of the odor and fix or remove the problem.  Mildew odor -find the leak or water problem and fix it.  Then use a deodorize to eliminate the smell.  If you have pets, there will be an odor. A great product called "Simple Solution" is available at pet stores.
This eliminates all type of organic odors. Consider boarding pets during the selling hours and/or especially during the weekends. 45% of the public is either highly allergic to or very afraid of any animal. Loud barking from your dog or your neighbors dog will make the prospective buyer uncomfortable.
-Clean and repair all cracked windows.   Hire a window washer if necessary.
-Repair any leaking faucets and toilets.  Replace the guts of the toilet if it runs
-Oil all squeaky doors.
-Tighten all door knobs and make sure all door stops are in place.-
-Make sure all wall switches "do something". Lights come on when switched on.

If there are items attached which will not go with the house, remove them at once and replace before anyone shows your house.

Please refrain from smoking in the house, a much larger percentage of buyer will not look at a house if it smells of smoke. Smokers need to have the carpets cleaned and the walls painted to eliminate the smell.  Many times this will kill a deal.

Repairs reduce your asking price
Reminder - a simple $300.00 repair problem becomes a $5,000.00 problem to the buyer and will result in a much lower offer. Another danger is not repairing the smaller problem is the idea created in the mind of the buyer, that IF you let the small problem exist - What other much larger problems are hidden?   

Pricing
The single most important thing you can do to make your home sell is to price it right. I will suggest a reasonable price range based on recent SOLD properties similar to you home, but only you, the Seller, sets the price. WARNING - If there are no showings in the first two weeks on the market, a price reduction may be in order.

Buyers First Impressions
Your Livonia home's "Curb Appeal"! The first impression from the street and the view outside the front door are the most important thing that entices the potential buyer to take a look inside. Basically, if we do not get the Buyers through the front door...we have little chance of selling your Livonia home.

Remember you're competing many properties for sale in your area. (not just your city)  And many sellers have detailed their Livonia home to sell as high as possible.

From the Outside and more

Letting your neighbors know that you are selling your home and it would be "equally" beneficial if a team effort could be taken. Again, curb appeal of the immediate neighborhood is 70% of the sale...or no sale.  You have to be able to get the people into your home.

Not everything needs to be new...just make it look that way

-New floor mat at entry
-New or repaint front door & hardware
-Clean, repaint, or replace Entry light fixture
-Flowers maybe in a pot near door
-Install New Mail box and post if aged.
-Repaint exterior if needed. If brick, make sure trim is painted.
-Pressure wash the home and driveway.
-Keep front porch clean and newspapers and flyers picked up.
-Replace missing shingles, as needed.
-Clean gutters.
-Clean windows until they shine.  Hire window washer if necessary.
-Clean shutters.
-Replace shutters if needed.
-Repair any broken boards on fence.
-Remove: old rusted swing set, old basketball goals, rusted lawn furniture, old rusted grill, dead trees or shrubs, Old flowers from the past season, leaves, dead branches, weeds and debris.
-Garbage cans need to be stored neatly in the garage or designated area.
-Edge the lawn and use quick greening fertilizer.
-Add mulch to flower beds and shrubs.
-Remove children's toys and bikes.
-Remove any overgrown or scraggly bushes and trees
-Trim up branches on trees so you can see the house.
-Remove leaves, pine needles from lawn and roof.
-Cut lawns, shrubs and plant fresh growing colorful flowers.
-Paint, stain or varnish front door and polish brass. Install brass kick plate.
-Oil squeaky doors.
-Ask your neighbors politely to clean up unsightly areas.  Help them if necessary.
-Garage door - paint and make sure it opens smoothly
-Garage Get rid of all old junk and excess items. Be sure to replace light bulb.
-Remove stains from garage floors.
-Do not store extra boxes and furniture in the garage.  Take it to a friends house.

The Foyer

The Foyer supports the desire to look further. Make sure it is clean, no cluttered furniture, light fixtures sparkles, floors are spotless and the general area is inviting.

A small entrance table with fresh cut flowers adds a nice touch.

Guest Closet

50% of hanging clothing should be taken out. No boxes or clutter. Lots of room. 
Deodorizer added to get rid of that bad shoe smell.
Fix door handles and make sure door opens smoothly.
Paint inside of closet. 

Family-Living-Great Room

Put away all collections, (figurines, and fragile items)
Store all Political, Religious, Sports, Mementos, as well as any business, sports, personal awards, (warning - failure to do this will result in the potential buyer spending to much of their time looking at the awards etc., or being offended by your political, religious, or sports affiliations, resulting in less time looking at the house as it would fit their lifestyle.   Shrines of any sort should be removed. 
-Remove nic-nacs
-No Animal fur rugs.
-No Family Photos.
-Remove all crowded furniture. Open the room up, show lots of space - with an even flow pattern.   If every bit of your wall is covered by furniture then that is a sign that you need to remove some.  Extra coffee tables or end tables are easy to remove.
-Clean fireplace.
-Clean light fixtures.

Dining Room

-Take extra leaf out of table.
-Store extra chairs 4 or 6 is enough.
-Put nice white table cloth on table.
-Nice arrangement in center of table.
-Clean chandelier and light fixtures. The globes from the chandelier can be put in dish washer.
-Clean glass on curio cabinets, china cabinets

The Kitchen...Normally the most important room in the house.  Here is where to spend money to repair and fix up. This equals your best return.

-Clean the kitchen from top to bottom.
-Clean the oven and the stove until they shine.
-Clean the Refrigerator.
-Fix all door knobs and handles.
-If cupboard doors are loose or are not aligned, tighten them up.  Straighten them.
-Remove all refrigerator magnets and items from the front and the sides. This includes all children pictures from school.   Remove everything off the front and top of refrigerator.  Including the priceless drawing from your favorite nephew.
-Put all small appliances under the cabinets every day.
-Put away all items from the counter-tops. Women want to see space, lots of space, and if its not there they'll go somewhere else.
-Clean the inside of the dishwasher.  Run the dishwasher with powdered instant lemonade such as Countrytime in the soap dishes. NO Dishes. The citric acid works wonders!
-Clean out drawers & cabinets to eliminate fears of too little space.   Store excess clutter at a friends garage.
-Grind a lemon through your garbage disposal will give it a fresh clean smell.
-Remove all trash daily.
-Remove pet dishes, toys and little boxes from kitchen.
-Have dated appliances re-finished. (Gold, brown, avocado green).
-Eat-in kitchen, take out extra leaf in table. Nice table cloth. Center piece arrangement. Open curtain and let lots of light in.
-Lighting is very important. Here is an idea. If you have fluorescent lighting, replace the lens with new clear refracted lens.

Hallway & Stairways

Many people think the hallway is the place to hang all family pictures, when you're living there it is. When you're selling it's not. Remove all pictures, putty all holes and repaint the entire hall way.
Tighten stair rails and clean handprints of rails and hallways.

Bathrooms

-Clean ceramic tile and grout. (paint and supply stores have a brush-on grout cleaner).
-Repair loose or cracked tile.
-Down play dated ceramic tile color with white towels and window treatments, plus scatter rugs.
-Clean tub/shower thoroughly and leave the shower curtain open, to add more depth.
-Take everything off the counter top.
-Shine all fixtures, and remove stain from sinks.
-Replace rusted sinks or if small area cover with touch up.
-Repair leaking faucets and commodes.
-Remove personal toiletries on display.
-Glue down all wallpaper where loose.
-Repair or replace defected exhaust fans.
-Install GFI outlet.
-Clean all areas squeaky clean.

Bedrooms

-New bedspreads if possible will make the room look great and can be taken with you when you move.
-Make beds everyday
 -Headboards free and clean of clutter.
-All Children's toys put away.
-Remove bulky furniture, room will appear larger.
-Remove dark or outdated wallpaper. Paint if needed with light neutral color.
-Clean out closets (50% rule) make them appear as if there is plenty of room to spare. -Install closet organizers and keep clothes neat.
-Organize shoes.
-Clean and remove things from under bed.
-Hide expensive jewelry

Kids rooms-nobody like to see crayon marks on the walls.  It may be cute and a reminder to you but it is a negative to buyers.

Master Bedrooms (This is the number one or two most important room in the house)

-Remove all excessive furniture.
-Closets 50% rule, no clutter on floor. (Seasonal clothing only in closet).
-New bedspread, open curtains.
-No clutter on top of furniture.
-Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures.

Room Over Garage

-Make sure the staircase up is clean of debris and the handrail is tight and secure.
-Remove excessive furniture. 

Basement

-Remove and replace stained ceiling tile.
-Make basement look functional and well organized.
-Have a professional fix any leaks (keep copy of bill)
-Put fresh coat of paint on the walls
-Clean all windows/cobwebs in corners etc.
-Do not store extra boxes or furniture in basement (consider renting a storage unit).
-Spray with deodorizer  to give a fresh smell and to eliminate odor.

Screened Porch

-Make sure its clean and swept.
-All screen holes are repaired or screen replaced.
-Cobwebs removed and cleaned.
-Furniture is clean and orderly- not excessive.
-If there is a ceiling fan clean it.
-Make sure door operates properly.

Deck

-Clean and nail down any loose boards.
-Consider staining with sealer stain.
-All rails are to be secure.
-Make sure all steps are tight.

Back yard.

Remove all garbage, old items that have been around for years.
Trim bushes, trees

Look out all your windows.  What do you see?  If it bothers you, it will bother potential buyers.  Fix the problem.  Clean up, trim up.  Put up a fence to hide issues with a sloppy neighbor.

Showings

-Sprinkle a few drops of vanilla extract on a warm stove burner, or on a lamp bulb before turning it on, or a few drops of vanilla in a small pan of water and put in a warm oven.  Buy a vanilla, cinamon, or chocolate chip scented candle and light them before a showing. 
-Refrain from the use of potpourri, many people are allergic to the odors.
-Refrain from the odd scented sprays

Run the vacuum every morning.

All lights on, drapes wide open

Again, during the showing and/or especially during the weekends, your home should be as perfect as possible. The temperature should be comfortable.  Use the air conditioning or heated as neccessary .  A hot  house during the summer or a freezing house in the winter will rush the prospective buyer out of your house.

-Warning!! Warning!! Under no circumstances be home for showings. The buyer will spend more time looking if the seller is not there. Go to the neighbors, walk around the block. If you are there the buyer will not talk freely and the agent will not know their true thoughts. Usually a seller says things that a buyer does not want to hear.  I remember on old lady telling us that the hideous metallic gold wallpaper on the wall had been there for years and would stay on forever. If by chance you do run into the buyer, do not volunteer information about the home. Many times what you consider an advantage to you is a disadvantage to the buyer.

Take your animals with you.  A barking dog or a loose cat may turn off people with allergies or that do not like pets.  I have had people walk out of houses and never see them because of loose pets or loud animals.  People get scared of some dogs.

There are many ways of selling your Metro Detroit home, from a fixer-upper to a excellent well kept home.. Please call me so we can discuss the best way of doing it (313) 310-9855 or E-mail me 
info@russravary.com  or at YesMyRealtor@gmail.com   I will do this for free.  Why?  Because I want you as a buyer too.  These things you do will also help when the inspections are done. A inspector can tell when a Wayne County home or Oakland County home has been well taken care of.   Many little items that would normally be thought to be a problem may be overlooked.  A little money spent repairing and fixing up your home will bring you higher offers.