In my experience, a home that is visually appealing and in good cosmetic and structural condition will be more attractive to buyers. A house that has been neglected can give a buyer a bad first impression. With so many houses on the market, you want to make sure that yours is the one that stands out.

First Impressions:

Prior to listing the house, I encourage my clients to have a home inspection on the property. A home inspection will determine the issues that a potential buyer will discover eventually. A preempted inspection will allow you to make the necessary repairs prior to listing the home. This will ensure that the home is "move in ready" for the buyer.

There are plenty of easy improvements that you can make to the exterior and interior of your home without spending a lot of money. Remember that attention to detail sends a message that the home has been well cared for.

Curb Appeal:

• Make sure the lawn and shrubs are well maintained.  
• Are there cracks in the foundation or walkways that can be sealed?  
• Does the driveway need resurfacing? 
• Clean the gutters and chimney.  
• Touch up paint. Especially around window casings, shutters and trim work. Also, consider re-painting the front door and entryway for a great first impression!
• Make sure that garbage and debris are stored out of sight.  
• Properly store lawn mowers and hoses.  
• Always make sure the garage door is closed.

Interior Details:

• A good cleaning goes a long way. Grime and dirt make appliances, tile and counter-tops look warn and dated.
• Let there be light! Buy some 100-watt equivalent bulbs to brighten the rooms, and open curtains or blinds to let light in.
• Clean the interior and exterior windows to allow more light in the house.
• Make sure your air filters are cleaned or replaced.
• Repair leaky faucets or squeaky doors.
• Patch any holes and touch up paint.
• Remove unnecessary clutter from the house and garage. Clutter makes the rooms look smaller and distracts from the homes amenities.

Time is Money:

Naturally, you want to get top dollar for your home. But at the same time, you don't want to scare off potential buyers by setting a price tag that is too high. The first couple days/weeks your home is listed is crucial. Setting a price too high can cause the house to languish on the market for months.

Price may be a sensitive issue, but with increased inventories and declining home values in many neighborhoods, every shopper in a buyers' market is determined to get the best deal possible.

There are some key factors in determining price.

• Current economic conditions
• Location of your home
• Comparable homes in your neighborhood that have sold within a reasonable timeframe (usually 3-6 months).
• Seasonal influences
• Schools

To determine the value of your home, seek the advice of a Real Estate Broker or Appraiser. I would be happy to provide you with a market analysis of your home.