| In order to sell a home quickly in today's market, | | | | Keep unsightly cords hidden from view. Run them |
| not only must it be priced right, but it also must | | | | along the wall, bundle them together with fabric |
| be properly prepared to sell. This includes cleaning, | | | | covers from your local home store. Or buy pieces |
| organizing, repairing and staging. Following are 15 | | | | of fabric that match your wall color and wrap |
| steps to guide you in getting your home sold | | | | them yourself. And hide the extension cords. Or |
| quickly and for top dollar. | | | | better yet, remove them altogether. |
| 1. Make a Good First Impression | | | | 8. Clear the Storage Space |
| Little things can make a huge difference. First and | | | | If your home has an attic, basement and/or |
| foremost, make sure everything is clean and tidy. | | | | garage, make sure they are tidy and de-cluttered. |
| No one is impressed by a messy exterior. Rake | | | | If it's short on storage space, utilize a closet to |
| the leaves. Sweep the porch. Dust for cob-webs. | | | | create an effective storage area. |
| These are the basics and the musts. But why not | | | | 9. Consider Your Closets |
| take it a little further? Infuse a little color. How | | | | Organize the closets. Get the shoes off the floor. |
| about adding some colorful, potted flowers or | | | | Fold the sweaters on the shelves. If possible, |
| flower boxes to the windows? Paint the front | | | | pack half of your belongings and get them out of |
| door an eye-catching color. Design a flower bed in | | | | the closet. Remember, the idea is to create the |
| the front of your home. Studies have shown that | | | | impression of space and organization. |
| people are drawn to color so take a little time to | | | | 10. Make Your Bathrooms Sparkle |
| add a little color. | | | | Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Make |
| 2. Clean it Up | | | | sure the grout is clean and the countertops |
| The most important thing you can do to the | | | | sparkle. Clean the cabinets and door handles. |
| interior of your home is make sure it's clean. Wax | | | | Remove supplies from the counter. Add a pretty |
| the floors. Clean the carpet. Scrub the baseboards. | | | | soap dispenser and a fragrant candle. Invest in |
| Clean the fireplace. Touch up the trim, or better | | | | quality, fluffy towels to coordinate with the |
| yet, repaint the walls if the paint is fading. | | | | bathroom's color scheme. |
| Remember that the majority of home buyers will | | | | 11. Create Dream Bedrooms |
| respond to neutral shades inside. So stay away | | | | Make your bedrooms fresh and inviting. Arrange |
| from the deep, jewel tones no matter how much | | | | the furniture in a way that compliments the |
| you may like them. | | | | design of the room. Eliminate excess furniture to |
| 3. De-Clutter | | | | make the room appear larger. If the bedroom has |
| Unless you already maintain minimalist approach, | | | | hardwood or tile floors, add a rug for coziness. If |
| gather up half of your home accessories and put | | | | possible, create a sitting area. It could be as |
| them out of sight. I'm talking about family photos, | | | | simple as a comfy chair and ottoman, an afghan |
| souvenirs from your vacations, dog toys, | | | | and a reading lamp. Pay attention to your bedding |
| children's toys, books, magazines, doll collections, | | | | - it should be clean and fresh looking. Add a few |
| etc. This will accomplish two things - 1) your home | | | | decorative pillows to finish the look. |
| will appear larger, and 2) the prospective buyer | | | | 12. Care for Your Pets |
| will be able to imagine their belongings in the home. | | | | We love our pets and it's certainly their home, |
| This is imperative because the better someone | | | | too. Take the time to insure their areas are clean |
| can visualize making it their home, the better the | | | | and tidy as well. When you're showing your home, |
| chances that you'll get an offer. | | | | make sure they're contained somewhere out of |
| 4. Arrange your Furniture | | | | the way for the comfort of your guests, as well |
| In a smaller home, make sure that your furniture | | | | as for their own protection. |
| is arranged in a way that creates the perception | | | | 13. Create Outdoor Spaces |
| of open space. This will make the rooms appear | | | | Pay attention to your patios and decks. |
| larger. Don't block entry ways or place too much | | | | Remember, these are an extension of your home |
| furniture in the center of the room. Create | | | | and should be viewed as another room to enjoy. |
| attractive living areas that best express the room | | | | Create comfortable sitting areas where the |
| the way it was intended. If your home has nooks | | | | prospective buyer could imagine relaxing. Utilize |
| and crannies, get creative and show prospective | | | | flowers, pillows, outdoor lighting, and candles. Add |
| buyers inventive ways to use the space that | | | | a water feature to create a tranquil environment, |
| maybe they wouldn't think of. If your home has | | | | especially if your home is in a noisy area. |
| large, expansive rooms, focus on creating multiple | | | | 14. Apply Finishing Touches |
| gathering areas with your furniture arrangements, | | | | Create a warm, inviting environment to showcase |
| as opposed to one large sitting area. | | | | your home. Light some fragrant candles and play |
| 5. Check Bulbs and Faucets | | | | soft classical music. Bake chocolate chip cookies. |
| Remember, light and bright sells homes. Help add | | | | Provide water infused with lemons, oranges or |
| to the natural light by ensuring all the bulbs are | | | | cucumbers. In the winter, offer hot chocolate or |
| replaced and are working. And when the property | | | | apple cider. Treat prospective buyers as your |
| is being shown, turn them all on. Fix any leaky | | | | guests and create the type of ambiance that will |
| faucets. The dripping sound will be a nuisance, and | | | | appeal to their senses. Remember, buying a home |
| a prospective buyer may wonder what larger | | | | is most often an emotional decision. |
| problems may exist if you couldn't even fix the | | | | 15. Keep a Low Profile |
| minor ones. | | | | It's better to let your Realtor handle showing your |
| 6. Pay Attention to Closet and Cabinet Doors | | | | home, once you have it prepared. After all, this is |
| All closets should have doors. If you've hung | | | | their specialty and one of the things they're being |
| curtains in the bedroom closet where the doors | | | | compensated to do. If you must be home, keep |
| should go - put them back. It looks tidier and | | | | a low profile and allow prospective buyers to view |
| "finished." And make sure that all of your doors | | | | your home with a minimum of distraction. |
| and cabinets open and close smoothly. As far as | | | | Remember, your Realtor is a trusted resource |
| door handles and pulls, if yours are seriously | | | | not only for selling your home, but also for helping |
| outdated consider updating them. Kitchen handles | | | | you get your home staged and ready to sell. |
| and pulls are generally pretty easy and | | | | Follow these steps and you will be well on your |
| inexpensive to replace and new ones will instantly | | | | way to getting your home sold by your first open |
| create a more modern look. | | | | house! |
| 7. Hide the Cords | | | | |