Preparing Your Home to Sell:

First impressions count: When a potential buyer drives up the first impression is very important. While you cannot change the style of your house there are some things you can do to make it more appealing. Take an objective look at your house from the street, driveway, and throughout the house. Be objective. You want to get top dollar in the shortest amount of time-so get prepared.

Yard: Have the grass cut and bushes trimmed-make sure there are no tools or toys out. Planting pansies or seasonal flowers makes a nice entrance.

Front Door: Clean and paint door if needed, wash windows and get rid of cobwebs. Make sure the doorbell works. Keep the front light on as it is getting dark. Have a doormat for wiping feet before coming in the house.

Inside the House: Keep lights on, curtains or blinds open-make the rooms as light as possible. Clean carpets and have floors clean.

Remove all clutter: If you are moving because you have too much furniture, rent a storage building and store some of your things. If you have too much the buyer will think the house is small as they try to get around your furniture and accessories. Now is a good time to pack your collections. You want the buyer to look at your house not what you have. Put away those treasures and leave mantle, coffee tables, end tables etc with very little on them. Get rid of your stacks of magazines and newspapers.

Kitchens: one of the most important rooms in the house to have looking good. Put away your blender and mixer. Keep the countertops clear and clean. When a buyer sees dirty dishes and fingerprints on the table they don't want to look to closely. Keep your sink empty and scrubbed. Take your mementos off the refrigerator and make sure it is clean.

Bathrooms: Again make sure these rooms are clean and fresh. I have seen a buyer purchase a different house because the bathtub in his first choice was dirty. The house was clean and he was worried that the finish on the tub was gone and wouldn't come clean. Have fresh towels out and shower curtain opened. Make sure the area around the tub is caulked or grouted and that the spigot isn't dripping.

Bedrooms: Make the beds and get rid of clutter (toys, stuffed animals, posters etc). Closets don't have to be perfect, but make sure when someone opens the door they can see the space and nothing falls out. Don't have stuff stacked to the ceiling.

Garage: A garage is very important to some people. Try to organize it and show how many cars fit in it. A rented storage unit might be an option if you can't fit your car in there.

Be objective and ask your realtor to help you prepare your home for selling.