Here are some things to keep in mind when putting your home on the market.

As a seller, what you want to do is put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer.  It’s important for you to see your house through the eyes of someone looking at it for the first time.  The best way to do that is ask a friend or neighbor to come over and take a look at your home as if he/she were in the market.  Many times, they will be able to suggest improvements that you would miss.

A good first impression is important. A house’s “curb appeal” is how it looks to someone driving up to it for the first time.  That’s why it’s as important to have the landscaping and outside of the home in good condition.  Clear up the clutter in front of the house.  Make sure your lawn is mowed and the bushes are trimmed.  If a buyer/s first impression is favorable, they will want to look further.  If their first impression is not so favorable, this will influence how they see everything else about your home.  Below is a checklist of things to do to increase your appeal.

Mow the lawn and pick up the yard.

Shovel the walks and steps.  Make sure they are free of ice, snow, toys and leaves.

Turn your porch lights on when showing your home in the evenings.

Try to avoid having strong odors in your house...fresh baked cookies however, would be great!

Do not smoke - if possible try to do your smoking outside during the entire time that your home is on the market.  You could actually lose a sale to non-smoking buyers.

Open all your shades or blinds.  Let as much light into the rooms as possible.

Have flowers and greenery throughout the house.

Keep the temperature at a comfortable setting.

Start a fire in the fireplace on a cold day.

Turn the television off and have soft music playing.

If possible, keep the kids and pets outside

Clean bathrooms and kitchen.  Don’t leave dirty dishes around.

Clean your closets and keep them free of clutter.

Clean those easy-to-forget rooms like the garage, attic, basement, work areas.

Clean your windows and mirrors.

Scrub the floors and vacuum the carpet.

If it is needed, paint both the inside and outside of the house.  It is best to use neutral colors.  Fill the holes and cracks on the walls and ceilings.

Replace your old wallpaper if it is in bad shape.  Otherwise, just make sure the walls are clean.

Remove the stains in the sinks and tubs.

Replace the tile in your bath and kitchen if needed.  However, most of the time, a good mildew remover and some grout will take care of unsightly tile.

Have your carpet cleaned.

Go around the house and tighten or replace missing door and cabinets handles.

If doors are hard to open and shut or they squeak, lubricate them.  (Soap can actually work as a lubricant on drawers and doors.)

This is the time to have those cracked windows fixed.  You can have the glass replaced at your local hardware store or glass shop.  It is not as expensive as replacing the entire window.

Also, fix those leaky faucets and make sure the drains in your tub and sinks are not clogged. hot water heater or furnace need replacing, do it.  Add the cost into the price of your home.  New buyers don’t want the hassle right after moving in.

Make the necessary repairs to your roof if it leaks.  If there are water marks on the walls or ceiling, cover them with a coat of paint after you make the repairs.  NOTE:  You must tell the buyers about material defects on a property that would not be apparent during a routine investigation.

Check the fence on your property.  Repair and paint it if necessary.

How about those cracks in your driveway?  If it is blacktop, have it resealed.

Clear your home of as much “clutter” as possible.  This includes knick knacks , pictures, extra furniture.  The reason being, if people feel your home is crowded, their own items may not fit, and they may not buy your home if it feels crowded.  (Your advantage is that you have already started packing for your move.)

And finally, don’t interfere with the real estate agent showing your home.  He/she know what to point out to the buyers.