It's the little things that count...

In preparing your home for sale, this has never been more true. We are in a buyers market and sellers must do all that they can in order to make their home stand out among all the other similar homes that are for sale. Much of this can be done for little or no cost and the result can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line. More importantly, it can reduce the amount of time your home stays on the market, thereby allowing you to get to where you're going quicker.

Let's start with curb appeal. You need to entice potential buyers to get out of the car. What do you see when you drive up to your home? Does it give you a positive impression? If your grass is brown or in need of a haircut, take care of it. How about the shrubbery? If it is dead remove it. If it is overgrown, trim it. These are no cost items. even if you replace the dead shrubbery you can do it with a minimal outlay of cash. Repainting the front door and replacing a worn lockset will definitely leave a good impression on your potential buyers. Also, if any screening is torn either repair it or remove the screen.

Once inside, pay attention to the amount of clutter in your home. Removing every item that is not essential will make your rooms appear larger. If necessary, put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and make sure all of your rooms have been cleaned, especially the bathrooms.

Remember, you will only get one chance at making a good impression on this buyer. Make it count!