10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.
2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.
3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.
4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.
5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they'll give buyers the impression that the house isn't well maintained.
7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.
8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
9. Clean your gutters.
10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.

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5 Things to Do Before You Sell

1. Get estimates from a reliable repairperson on items that need to be replaced soon, a roof or worn carpeting, for example. In this way, buyers will have a better sense of how much these needed repairs will affect their costs.
2. If your home is a part of a Home Owner's Association, get copies of the CC&R's & other HOA documents. Ask your Sales Consultant for guidance here.
3. Get a pre-sale home inspection so you'll be able to make repairs before buyers become concerned and cancel a contract.
4. Gather together warranties and guarantees on the furnace, appliances, and other items that will remain with the house.
5. Fill out a disclosure form provided by your Sales Consultant. Take the time to be sure that you don't forget problems, however minor, that might create liability for you after the sale.

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Tips for Holding a Yard Sale

Use a yard sale to reduce the clutter in your home and get rid of items you don't want to move.

1. See if neighbors want to participate and have a "block" sale to attract more visitors.
2. Advertise. Put an ad in free classified papers, put up signs and balloons at major intersections and in stores near your home.
3. Price items ahead and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, yard sales are supposed to be bargains, so don't try to sell anything of significant value this way.
4. Check items before the sale to be sure you haven't including something you want by mistake.
5. Keep pets away from the sale.
6. Display everything neatly and individually so customers don't have to dig through boxes.
7. Have an electrical outlet so buyers can test appliances.
8. Have plenty of bags and newspaper for wrapping fragile items.
9. Get enough change, and keep a close eye on your cash.