Brenda Brown, Real Estate Broker

Selling your home after you have already moved out. You do not live there anymore and your home is or will be on the market. There are several things that should be done to keep the home in its to selling shape: Keep the power and water on. These will need to be used while your home is shown and also will be necessary for the home inspection. See if PUD and/or your water company will give you a reduced rate. They may not, but you will not know if you do not ask. Keep the grounds looking nice by hiring a landscaper. Have your home and carpets professionally cleaned. Have your Realtor (that should be me, by the way) or a trusted neighbor or friend check on your home weekly or biweekly. This person should: · Make sure the landscaper is doing his or her job. · Run the water for a time to make sure it does not’t get a stale smell to it, at least once a month if not more often. This should include flushing the toilets, too · Open windows and doors to give the home a chance to air out, at least once a month if not more often. · Check that all the lights and other appliances are functioning correctly. · Report any conditions that need attention back to you. To get the most out of the sale of your house it should look loved and cared about.