Think of your home as a product or service. Present it more like a `model` home and remove clutter. Pack up excess from closets, counters, cabinets, pantry, shelves, dressers, garage, basement, etc. By removing YOUR family clutter and photos, you allow the buyer to picture their things in your home and make them feel the SPACE, not the stuff. You need to package it attractively to create demand for it.

Go to view a few model homes. Note that they use “items” to decorate but they do not reveal the identity of the owners, no photos, etc. While secondary bedrooms may be decorated to show use by children, they often have one bedroom designated as an office since the vast majority are looking for a place in the home to have their home office.

Here are some fast, inexpensive changes that should make your home stand out among similarly-priced homes in your neighborhood or area.

DO NOT LIST OR SHOW YOUR HOME UNTIL YOU REALLY HAVE IT READY!!!!! –They will not come back……YOU HAVE one shot at the first impression to the Buyer and the Realtors who will show it.

The Exterior:

Yard: Keep the lawn neat, well trimmed, with proportioned shrubs. Add flowers or create a flowerbed to enhance the appearance of your yard. If it is fall, make sure the lawn is raked. In the winter, clear snow from your driveway and walk.

Front Door: Is it tight on its hinges? The door should be neat and clean; paint it if it needs it or if in poor shape, replace it. Finally, a wreath on the door  & a welcome mat are nice touches.

Home Exterior: Check for flat-fitting roof shingles, straight lines on gutters, shutters, windows, and siding; solid caulking around roofs and seams. Apply fresh paint where it needs it. Also, make sure the windows are clean

The Interior:

Walls: Dark colors may make rooms seem smaller. One accent wall is different. Neutral wall paint is most likely to appeal to the majority. If a strong color appears on walls, and is not a favored color of the prospective buyer, this could cost you a sale.

Floors: Clean those carpets! Giving the Buyer an allowance for carpets (when they are old, dirty and damaged) does not work well. They simply see this as something they must do before the home is “move-in ready”. Replace them is really needed. You only have one shot at making a first impression. Make sure they see a home that has been lovingly taken care of and will not need lots of work to make it ready.

Lights: Turn on the lights! The more light the more inviting. Daytime showing, open curtains & blinds to let as much sunshine in as possible. Clean windows are a must.

Smell: Vanilla Air Freshener, applied directly to the air filter, gives off a new model home aroma. Or, when sufficient notice is given, bake cookies and have them set out for the Buyers to enjoy.

Remove Excess Furniture: Remove as much furniture as possible to make rooms appear much larger!

Living Room or Family Room: Strive for lived-in cozy but discard worn, chipped, frayed furniture. Add lamps if needed and set out flowers.

Kitchen: Keep the oven and all other appliances spotless. Replace anything that sticks, squeaks or drips. Clear away clutter from the countertops and remove the magnets and clutter from the refrigerator!

Master Bedroom: Most important room after the kitchen! Remove excess anything in room and closets. Put things out of sight and make certain that valuables are secured.

Bathrooms: Always clean & neat. Remove clutter, clean tile grout & remove soap scum; buyers notice!

Basement: Clean it up and make it appear to be a useable living area!

Soft Music (Classical or Jazz) playing in the background, (leave this on when you are gone anytime) it's a nice touch!

PS Boxes piled up in the garage is not a bad thing, you look motivated however, some people purchase a storage unit in order to remove the excess from the garage to show it’s size and function.

GOOD LUCK