For Sale? How to Prepare Your Home

There are many minor changes you can make to your home to help it sell quicker. Having worked with a realtor previously, I have picked up the following tips:

The first and most simple step would be to remove any clutter. Throw away those old magazines you have sitting on your coffee table, box up all the artwork on the fridge that your children have created, and remove any personal items such as family photos. You want your buyer to be able to visualize this as their home and they might have a hard time when they see items that point to you and your family's outings and vacations.

The second step is to get out the gloves and cleaners. Scrub away at the kitchen and bathroom, get rid of all those cob webs in all those hard to reach places, and clean all windows and mirrors.

The third and more tedious step is to make minor repairs. Fix the squeaky front door, touch up chipped pain, and tighten all door handles and knobs.

The fourth step should be to remove any unnecessary furniture. Store it at a family member's house or rent a storage unit if possible. Big bulky furniture can make a room look overcrowded and smaller. By removing just one or two items from a room can make a huge difference especially in the living or family room.

The fifth step you can try is to add furniture. Borrow mirrors or paintings that complement the theme you already have. Mirrors are always a plus, they make the room appear larger and paintings can add a unique feel to the room if done correctly.

The sixth step you should try if you have the time and a few dollars to spare would be to paint the rooms in your house. You might be amazed at what a new coat of paint can do for a room. Remember that softer, lighter colors open up a room and make it appear bigger. Try to avoid white; it can make a room look a bit harsh. Opt for creamer yellow tones or more earthy tones with a brown base. Also, if you have the time, paint the ceilings the same color as the walls; the ceiling will seem to disappear and will make the ceiling appear higher especially if you use a more drastic color such as a warm, dark red.

Don't forget about the seventh step, curb appeal. Keep your lawn mowed, the flowers watered and the sidewalks clean. Touch up any chipped paint, and pack up your children's toys and any lawn furniture. Also, make sure you can see the numbers of your house clearly from the street; this is important when buyers are trying to find your house. And lastly, if you have a broken down car in the driveway, push it into the garage or tow it to a friend's house.

And a few things to think about before having an open house or a buyer over:

Let as much light in as possible. This will make your home seem more welcoming and inviting. So open your curtains or even buy higher wattage bulbs for darker rooms with no windows.

Light candles. A lot of people associate smells with different times in their life. I would recommend a candle with a freshly-baked cookie scent; buyers might start thinking that this is grandma's house!

What are you waiting for? Get to work and happy home selling!