by Francis Jock

Created on: May 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2010

Selling your house for a better price than you think you can get for it in today's market is a real possibility. Savvy homeowners and real estate agents will tell you that when it comes to home selling, the most important factor is maintaining your home's curb appeal. Keeping up your home's exterior appearance may be the single most important tip for selling your house for a better price.

Naturally, renovations are important, but not all renovations and upgrades contribute equally to the market value of a house. From a home buyer's perspective, the two most important selling points of a house, in terms of renovation, are the kitchen and the master bathroom. Tip: If you must renovate, consider spending money on these two rooms, as they are far more important to home buyers than other rooms.

Another important point for selling you house for a better price is a certified home inspection. You will have to hire your own home inspector, but once the inspection is completed you will have a comprehensive list of repairs that need to be made in advance of placing your home up for sale. The inspector will examine every aspect of your home's construction and its environmental systems, including its heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems, and provide you with a comprehensive inspection report. Tip: A home inspection report with corrected problems will pay huge returns when it come time to impress home buyers with the integrity of your home.

Another aspect of optimizing your home for a better selling price is called staging. Staging your home for sale takes time and effort with a focus on meeting home buyer's expectations. A good way to begin is with a walk-through with your real estate agent. Real estate agents have the experience and knowledge to inform you about your home's strengths. weaknesses, and character. Their insight into your home's character, in comparison to competing homes on the market, will help you establish a better selling price. Tip: Real estate agents can help you decide what features to emphasize and what problem areas, from a selling standpoint, need to be corrected.

Home staging also means separating yourself from your home by turning it into a house for sale. In a nutshell, this means cleaning up and cleaning out your personal belongings and all those personal touches you have added over the years to suit your family and lifestyle. It doesn't mean emptying the place out entirely, but it does mean packing up and storing every non-essential

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