by Emma Riley Sutton

Created on: July 28, 2010

The only thing worse than buying a house is selling one. Or is it the other way around? Not that is really matters because there are several ways to make the experience less of a headache for both the seller and the buyer. Whether the real estate market is up or down, there are many tips that will help you sell your home quickly and (almost) pain-free.

Make sure the price is right. Check the prices of comparable homes in your area. Make sure these homes are truly comparable to your home - same number of bedrooms, square footage and the like. An experienced real estate agent can offer excellent advice on setting the price. If you are going to sell your home on your own, seek some advice from a real estate agent anyway. Hire an appraiser to tell you how much your home is worth.

Add curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint, some flowering plants and a green lawn will help to get buyers in the front door. Speaking of the front door…a bold color and new hardware is always a plus. Power wash the driveway, sidewalks and other pathways.

Accentuate your homes upgrades. Make the new granite countertops stand out. Polish the hardwood floors. Power wash the deck and make sure the pool is perfect. Organize those walk-in closets to make them look even more spacious.

Clean and declutter. Now that you have potential buyers in the door make sure they don’t run right out by cleaning your home from top to bottom. Dust the ceiling, clean the floors and tidy up everything in between. If it isn’t necessary to sell your home, get it out of your home - it is clutter.

Remove personal items. Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the home, not seeing how you have lived in your home. Baby pictures, grocery lists and too-personalized décor will keep potential buyers from seeing themselves living in the home.

Give each room a purpose. If you have a dining room, put a dining room table in that area. Your breakfast bar should be just that, not a place for children to do homework or play. The office/guestroom/storage area that you’ve been using for years should only have one purpose. Chose one and stick with it.

Stage your home. Chose soft, welcoming and light colors for your home. Light colors will make the rooms look more spacious. Remember to paint the ceilings a lighter shade of the wall color to make them look higher. Remove all unnecessary furniture. This will make the rooms look larger. Use subtle artwork in your home. Arrange your furniture to make it easier for potential buyers to walk around in your home. Remove everything that is dated, out of style and personal.

Make all necessary repairs. Have your home inspected by a professional before you put it on the market. Fix everything that is brought to your attention. If this isn’t in your budget, remember that the buyers will eventually have this information and be willing to make concessions. Don’t try hiding worn carpet with area rugs or furniture. The final walk-through will bring all those flaws to light. Make sure all home repair projects are finished before showing your home.

Be willing to negotiate. Many homes remain on the market because sellers aren’t willing to drop the price a bit or repair a leaky faucet. When you get an offer that is unacceptable, shoot back a counter offer. Be flexible. Know what your absolute bottom line is and work with buyers without crossing that line.

Selling your home can be a fairly easy process. These tips will make it less of a chore for you as well as much less of a daunting task for the buyer. It won’t be perfect, but nothing ever is. Follow these tips and it will be a more pleasant experience than expected.

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