-~ You)ve decided to buy a new home, therefore you want to seil your existing home quickly and, for théc best possible price. The foilowing article shows how you can make yýour home more attractive to, prospective buyers. One of the first places to assess is the front yard. Acconllng to maniy experts,,cwbt appeai Is important. It doesn't matter what the inside looks like if the buyer neyer gets there. A coat of paint on the cioor, polished house numbers, door knob and knocker, a new brass kickplate, mature bushes and bloomilig plants ail help to create a positive first impression. If a survey of the inside shows up old-looking paint and dated wallpaper, then a new coat of paint is in order. Choose premium quality paint and remember fil nail holes and cracks first. Stick to light light, neutral colors. Darker tories or trendy shades may offend potential buyers. Light colors cmn also makté smail ruoms seem larger, airler and, naturally, brighter - ahl pluses in a resale ,market, A coat ofpaint and new cupboard and drawer handies are inexpensive ways of breathitg. new life In.to a tired looking kitchen. Keep, windows dlean in ordertio let as much lighit as possible int ail woms. A' home filied with na"ua light is much more appealing th a p ark, gboomy place. Place table and loor lanips strategicafly to atfüly eliminate dark co'rners. Maire thôse minor repairs that you've kept postponing. Tighiten loose doorknobs, fix leaky faucets, replace broken window panes and scers, caulk amund bathroom fixtures and replace bumnt-out lightbulbs.' Cléan carpets. draperies and, even, upholstery. Clean out the basement and the stuffed, closets. Reduce tie clutteroutside. Be objective in cheçking your home's appearance. Always consider. what might tumn off a prospective buyer. If a major repair or improvemnent is required, consider the services of a professional renovator. Get two or thoee quotes mnd ask for references. A home on show, must be spotlessly dlean. Furthermore, it must smieli dlean. Be especiaily mware of household odors caused by smoking and pets.. Even over.watered plants can ho a pmoblem. 7- pot base colecting water gives off an unpleasat odor, Just becauseyou've checked the front of the house, don't forget thec sides and back. Outdoor furnr should be out as long as the weather'is approptlate, Gaps In outdor iandscaplngý ean b quickly repaired :by adding a fe1w healthy mature ýshrübs and plants.; Keepi he lawn raked and mowed. .Before an open house,,buy some fiesh flowen for flhc -living room and the kitchen, -bake somne cookies or -muffins to fill the kitchen, wîth the inviting aroma of home cooking, spray, a whiff of coltigne in the master bathand wlpe down stainless-steel sinks witha litt.le cooking oul so they shine as a prospective buyer surveys kitchen appointreents: Investing *a bit of time and a few dollars here and there, can. make ail the difference when you're sellng your home. The WHITBY DIA maintains a list of available retail and office space ti the downtowxn area. If you need information regardlng square footage, location, rates or contact naines, oeil the WHITBY BIA at 666-4189 or visit the office at 128 Brock St. S. (use the entrance on Coiborne St.) & ~Christmas Oen flouse 115 Brock St North Whitby, Ontario p The spirt of Christmas. A time for fiends & family. TEDDIES CHRISTMAS COLLECTION *SEIKO '~joins us for some old-fashioned hospitality and preview WAICHES * FITZ & FLOYD CH-RISTMAS orChristinas ollection of gifts, fine jeweflery and COLLECTIBLES *, FASHION JEWELLERY FROM Ar wachsFeturng new arrvais form the * CHFRJSED NINARICCI& "1928"iand much more f.. Your Hosts, 4jSusa and Paul Dynes - Stqphe Lloyd Dawe~ OPEN HOUSE U15 Brock St N., Wlùtby, OntarjoULN 4M1 Tel. 668.0042