Paying attention to details before you list your home will give your home an edge over others in the same price range. These improvements dont have to cost a lot but might make a big difference on the appearance of your home and increase the interest level and the number of offers made from potential buyers.

Pre-listing Inspection.

Having your home inspected by a licensed home inspector helps by:

Allowing you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party;
Pricing your home realistically;
Identifying repairs needed ahead of time so that defects wont become negotiating stumbling blocks later (keep receipts in case your buyers have questions);
Giving your buyers an option to waive the inspection contingency;
Alerting you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation;
Reducing your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement;
Alerting you to immediate safety issues before visitors tour your home.

Clean up the outside.

Curb appeal is the first impression of your house.

Keep the grass cut and the area tidy.
Paint or wash the house exterior including windows, shutters and doors.
Check the gutters and chimney.

Touch up the interior.

Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and trim.
Wash the walls where paint is not appropriate (e.g. wallpaper, paneling).
Wash all floors and bathroom tiles.
Shampoo dirty carpets.
Remove clutter from counters, closets, garage, basement and attic.
Replace air filters to help keep the dust down.

Replace bathroom and kitchen fixtures that are worn, leaking or dated. People will notice a leaking or worn-out faucet. On the up-side, they will be impressed by updated fixtures. Remember to clean under the sinks. If there are any leaks, fix them and then cleanup the damage using a disinfecting cleaning solution and a fresh coat of paint.

Get rid of any bad odors in your home. Pay attention to pet or cigarette odors because upholstery, mattresses and carpets absorb and retain these odors. Consider what needs to be removed or professionally cleaned to avoid offending potential buyers.

It is amazing how attention to details will add that special appeal that buyers are looking for and give your property a good first impression, a competitive edge over other homes listed near-by.

For even more helpful tips and information on selling your home visit the Sellers' Tip Page for a wealth of information!