10 Ways to Prep Your Home for Sale

Even with low inventory at certain price points in the market place, home buyers are still very selective. Homes that typically sell quickly and close at or above asking price, are those that show well. Buyers look for homes that are staged to sell. Staging doesn't necessarily require a seller to hire a professional stager to move in designer furniture. Use these 10 tips to whip your home into shape and wow potential buyers.

Improve your landscaping. Curb appeal is crucial to a good first impression, so make sure your home's landscaping is immaculate. Mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and plant flowers.

Clean the outside. A sloppy exterior will make buyers think you've slacked off on interior maintenance as well. Be sure to clean the roof of debris, pressure wash walks, and touch up exterior paint where needed.

Make repairs. You want your home to be in the best condition possible. Take care of major defects like broken windows or a leaky roof that could discourage buyers. In addition, have your HVAC serviced.

Make the front door inviting. A fresh coat of paint, especially in a color that contrasts with the home, will make the front door stand out. Replace faded house numbers so buyers can see them from the curb. Nice potted plants also provides color and helps make the entry pop.

Buy a new welcome mat. Let buyers know they're invited into your home.

Remove clutter and depersonalize. Buyers want to envision their belongings in your home. Clean up by renting a storage unit for knickknacks, photos, extra furniture and other personal items.

Organize closets and drawers. Messy closets give the appearance that your home doesn't have enough storage space.

Make every surface shine. From ceiling fans to floors and everything in between, clean your home until it sparkles.

Take color down a notch. You might like your lime-green bedroom, but this color may only be appealing to a small segment of the market. Paint your walls a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Eliminate bad odors. Hide the litter box and spray air neutralizer throughout your home. When showing the home, fill it with inviting smells by putting out fresh flowers and baking a batch of cookies.

If this seems a little overwhelming and you aren't sure where to start...don't worry...the Reagen Johnson provides FREE editing and staging services to our clients. In addition, we have a great professional organizer we can refer to you that can assist you with organizing and decluttering.