You have talked to your financial advisor, real estate agents, friends and family and you have made that all important decision to sell your home. Maybe you are relocating because of a new job or perhaps you just want to move to a different part of town. Regardless of your reasons for selling, there are some things you should keep in mind when preparing to sell your home.

Selling Price

Determining the selling price is likely the most important factor in home sales. If you price your home too high, buyers may not consider it. If you price it too low, you are unnecessarily losing money. Real estate agents will often provide a free market analysis if you ask them. This will give you an idea of how much your home compares financially with other similar homes in your neighborhood.

Do Not Do Any Major Remodeling

Do not break the bank when preparing to sell your home. Expensive items, such as a new roof, will appeal to buyers, but it rarely increases the selling price of your home enough to cover the expenditure.

First Impression is Everything

The first thing a potential buyer sees is the outside of the home. Keep the lawn and landscaping neatly trimmed, watered and weeded. Look over the exterior of your home for signs of wear such as peeling paint, loose shingles, or a cracked foundation. Make repairs as necessary. A fresh coat of paint on the outside of the home will make it seem more friendly and inviting. Adding some flowers in season and keeping walks and drives cleared of leaves and snow in the fall and winter makes your house more inviting to buyers. Wash the windows outside to make them sparkle in the sunlight.

Clean Your House

This is a very important item to remember. Clean, clean, clean. It cannot be said enough. Organize your basement and attic. Get rid of clutter by having a garage sale or by renting a storage unit until the sale is completed. Store extra furniture, clean out all your closets, cabinets and drawers, remove most of your personal mementos like family photographs and personal collections such as the guns you inherited from your grandfather. Do this BEFORE you list your house. Wipe down all the walls and trim. Even better, paint the interior walls a neutral shade that will appeal to a wider variety of buyers. Clean all windows inside and out. Sparkling windows will add more appeal to your home than just about anything else. Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans. Remove all clutter from the bathrooms and make certain they are squeaky clean at all times. Make your bathroom and kitchen look even better by adding some new towels or new cabinet knobs.

It will be difficult to keep everything spotless, but you must work hard at it. Do not show the house with a sink full of dirty dishes. Wash them or store them in the dishwasher if you don't have time to wash them. Wipe down all surfaces in the kitchen. Take the trash out daily. Use a room freshener daily to give your home a pleasant odor. If you smoke, smoke outside until the sale of the home.

Turn on the Lights

When showing your home, open the curtains. Turn on the lights. Plenty of light will make your home seem more inviting. Adding fresh cut flowers will make your home more pleasant.

Get Away

Until you sell it, it is your home, but in the interest of a quick sale, only schedule viewings at a time when you are not home or at a time when you can leave for awhile. Buyers will be far more comfortable if you are not present when they are viewing your home. If you have pets, board them until the home sells. If you have children, make absolutely certain they are not at home when it is being shown. Scheduling a showing while you are at work and the kids are in school is perfect.

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