Getting ready to put your home on the market? Please do your homework.

So, your are Getting Ready to put Your Home on the Market? But do you have what it takes to make your home look the best possible in this real estate market? Sure you do!

There is plenty you can do for free or at a very low cost.

Attention to details.

You plan to start packing when you sell your home. But why wait? You should start packing as early as possible-- ideally, before you put your home on the market.

Make your home sparking and clutter-free. After cleaning away clutter, polish the hardwoods, clean the countertops, and dust the light fixtures. Buyers are most impressed by three areas when they look at homes: the kitchen, the living room, and the front entry.

Make your stainles stell sink shine with thrifry cleaning remedies such as baby oil or club soda, according to DoItYourself.com Restore-A-Finish (about $5.00 per can) comes in various wood finishes and can be used to polish cabinets and even blend out minor scratches and imperfections.

A little elbow grease will go a long way... shining kitchen cabinets, sparkling hardwood floors in the living room, a new brass finish lock, a door kick-board, and new lantern will show that you have taken good care of your home.

Remember, buying a home is an emotional process, and if you capture the buyer's attention by showing how warm and cozy your living room looks and how clean and spacious your kitchen countertops are-- you are already a winner.

Of course, don't forget about other areas in your home. But when you start organizing, it is easy to fell overwhelmed by the work which needs to be done... So, take one room at a time. Be realistic -- don't start too many projects at once.

Laundry room. Buyers will be impressed if the laundry room is fresh and organized. Make sure your soaps and detergents are in the cabinets or lined up neatly on a shelf.

Flooring. If you have hardwood floors, make sure to polish them. All buyers are impressed with shiny hardwood floors.

If you have dirty, worn carpet, you may use a professional cleaning service, ranging from about $180 to $390 for a 1,300-square-foot home.

Lighting.

New lighting fixtures are a quick way to create ambiance. Use brushed nickel and chrome finishes when you shop for new fixtures. You can also use lighting for special features-- pendant lights to show off that kitchen island or sconces to illuminate a foyer. Under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen is affordable and makes countertops sparkle. Fluorescent light strips tend to be even more affordable and easier to install than recessed lighting.

And remember to clean your windows. You'd be surprised at how much a simple window cleaning can instantly improve natural light.

Before putting your home on the market--Don't forget the basement! The biggest problem with basements is lack of adequate lighting. Adding light will create a sense of open airy space on a par with the rest of the house. Paint walls an opaque color so natural light will appear brighter.

Paint.

Before putting your home on the market, paint interior of your home. A few gallons of paint can go a long way in making a home more chic--and the cost can't be beat. Covering a 12-by-12 foot room with two coats will cost you about $50 to $100, including supplies.

Create monochromatic harmony. Use different variations of the same color throughout the home. The Paint Quality Institute, a paint education resource, refers to this as "layering." Choose a color card, which usually has about three or four similar hues, and use two or more colors from the single card. Use the lighter colors in the main living areas and darker shades for the rooms that branch out, such as the bathrooms.

Paint the baseboard white. I would suggest antique white or Navajo white as better options, because they don't take on gray tones against some colors. If you have dated stained-wood trim, simply painting it off-white can bring it up-to-date. But don't forget to use a primer first.

You may find lots of helpful tips on Realtor.com

If you, or somebody you know, thinking about putting you home on the market, just call me (860)648-9270. I will be happy to help you in preparing to put your home on the market. www.TatyanaCThomes.com or www.WeNeedANewHouse.com