by Tamara Brown

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2012

Selling a home can be a marathon event, from getting your home ready to sell, listing it, waiting for it to sell and finally making it through the closing finish line.  However, sometimes you need it to be more of a sprint.  Here are five quick ways to get your house ready to sell and hopefully speed up the home selling process.

Fix What's Broken

If you aren't handy with a hammer, then consider hiring a handyman to take care of all those little fixes you have been putting off. Whether you have broken door handles, missing grout, dripping faucets or a host of other possible problems, get as many of them fixed as you can before you put the house on the market. Every time a potential homebuyer sees something that needs to be fixed, it goes on a mental to-do list in his head. If the list gets too long, he may pass on your house and go find one that will be less of a hassle.

Touch it Up

A fresh coat of paint can make any room look brighter and more attractive. However, it is possible that you don't have time to repaint your entire house. An easy trick is to touch up any problem spots. Make sure that you have the right color paint for the job and fill in any spots where the paint has worn away. If possible, consider at least repainting the trim in each room. It will be faster than painting everything, but it will make the room look fresher and more up to date.

Work the Yard

You can't make a first impression a second time, so the front of your home needs to be a priority. First, mow and edge your lawn. Remove any weeds from the front of your home, trim the bushes and add mulch to cover any bare areas in your flower garden. To make a big impact with an easy project, paint or replace your front door if it is showing ay signs of age. Also make sure your front porch is clear of toys, bikes or any other personal effects.

Clean Up

Whether you are a naturally clean person or not, cleanliness is no longer an option, it is mandatory. Scrub your bathrooms, your kitchen, and your floors. Get rid of any clutter. Ask a friend or family member if you can store some stuff in their garage and get rid of anything you don't absolutely need for day-to-day living.

Depersonalize your Space

Home buyers are notorious for their lack of imagination, so you need to do all you can to help them imagine themselves living in your home.  Take down personal photos and memorabilia.  This includes personal knick-knacks that you have accumulated over the years.

Getting your home ready to sell may not be your idea of a good time, however it is a necessary part of the home selling process. Even if you can't do everything your Realtor asks you to do to get your home ready, at least follow these simple tips to make your home more inviting to prospective home buyers and increase the likelihood of getting it sold.

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