by MJ Miller

Created on: December 13, 2006   Last Updated: February 20, 2011

When you make the decision to sell your home, you need to consider a few things up front. For instance, are you going to sell it yourself or list it with a real estate broker? While selling it yourself will save you from paying the broker’s commission, don’t underestimate the advantage of having an agent working on your behalf to bring potential buyers to your home and orchestrating the sale transaction or closing.

The first thing you will want to do is decide on a price. Your agent can help you in this matter as well. They will know the market and the approximate value of your home in that market, but they can come up with a more accurate value by running some “comps” or comparable homes to yours that have sold recently. This will give you a realistic value of what you can expect to get for your home in the present market. Pricing it right is the first step to selling it in a timely manner.

Once you find out the value and decide on the listing price, it’s time to get your home ready for presentation to buyers. There are some simple steps you can take to make your home more desirable to potential buyers so it will sell quickly and at the price you want.

If you want to get a really professional job, you can hire a professional home stager. They will come in and tell you everything you need to do to make your home as attractive as possible to a buyer. You can also ask your agent or broker for advice in this area as well. There are many things you can do that will cost you little or nothing but can pay off big when you show your home.

INTERIOR:

Clean, clean, clean - First and foremost, make sure your whole house is spotlessly clean. A dirty home is an instant turnoff to a buyer. Rent a carpet scrubber or bring in a professional carpet cleaner. They can sometimes work wonders to bring an older looking carpet back to life. Wash and wax the hard floors. Take extra care with the bathrooms and kitchen. You want your bathrooms to be immaculate. Clean the mirrors, sinks, toilets, fixtures, etc. Do the windows. Buyers like to check the view from the window when walking through your home so you want them clean.

Eliminate the clutter - You want to get rid of the things you have lying around the house on tables and especially kitchen counters. Remove all of the stuff stuck to the refrigerator with magnets. A house full of clutter looks small and cramped while a house that is neat and tidy looks roomier and more inviting.

This also applies to your

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