Things To Do Before Putting Your House On The Market
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Everyone knows that preparing your home for sale is good advice for a seller wishing to obtain top dollar. The problem often comes down to having the cash on hand to make expensive improvements to a property even when the return may be three to one.

There are however several things that one can do that are either cost free or with very minimal cost that are well worth considering.

  1. Have a garage sale. Oddly enough many people choose to have a garage sale just before moving; after the home is in escrow. Why not have your garage sale before you start showing your home so that your home can appear larger, neater and clutter free? A good real estate agent can provide you with information on where and how to advertise your garage sale.
  2. Trim up your yards and green up your lawns. Trim bushes away from windows to allow more light to come in. Be sure to make a potential buyer's first impression of your home a good one. Neatly trimmed green lawns, swept walkways, colorful flowers and a driveway clean of old cars, campers and stored items will give the best first impression.
  3. Eliminate odors. Be sure to clean carpets, eliminate musty smelling drapes or furniture and freshen up where necessary.
  4. Be conscious of light. Keep drapes open. Upgrade light bulbs to higher wattage and move furniture away from windows.
  5. Eliminate furniture. Be sure your rooms are not over furnished. Put extra pieces in storage.
  6. Clear counters and table tops. Put away toaster ovens, mixers, blenders, newspapers, cookbooks and magazines.
  7. Be sure walls are not overly hung with family photos and personal effects. Remember - you want a buyer to relate to your home. If it is overly personalized, a potential buyer will not be adequately able to visualize this as their home.
  8. Paint when necessary. White walls may not be exciting but they are always easy to personalize later. Real estate agents, based on experience, almost always recommend painting walls, white.

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