There are many issues to consider when preparing to sell a home. Price, timing, and proper promotion are of course essential. Selecting the right real estate agent or deciding to sell "by owner" are also important decisions.

What many people fail to consider is that not everyone will like your home in its current condition. If fact, many buyers will walk away from a home if it appears unkempt, out of style or even "over-styled". Just because you've grown an attached to your yellow-gold counter tops from 1966, doesn't mean buyers will share that sentiment. In fact, the floral wallpaper you so lovingly hung in your kitchen or the Kelly green carpet in the living room may be beautiful to you, but will turn off many potential buyers.

When it comes to selling your house, the goal should be to attract as many buyers as possible. If you are willing to spend a little money prior to selling your home, the more likely you will be to sell your home quicker and obtain maximum profit. To successfully achieve these goals, consider some or all of the following tips.

1. Kitchen updates- A beautiful kitchen attracts buyers. Consider updating linoleum to tile. This is a simple and inexpensive way to attract buyers, especially if you're willing to install it yourself. Take down wallpaper and add a fresh coat of paint. Neutrals are always a safe bet. Think about changing outdated counter tops. You don't need to buy upscale granite (although this can be a big selling point if you can afford it). Switching from your green, gold or worn counter top to a neutral Formica counter top is inexpensive and will go a long way with buyers. Tiling the back-splash to match the floor is also a good idea.

2. Bathroom Updates If your bathrooms are outdated, consider first updating the master bath first. Bathrooms can add a great deal of value to a home and are one of the things people remember most. Simple updates include replacing old caulk, update older fixtures, tile and/or update old linoleum.

3. Repaint or remove wallpaper. White, beige, and gray paints are most appealing to buyers and painting is one of the most affordable ways to update a house.

4. Low-cost custom updates Add taller baseboard to living rooms and/or master bedrooms if current baseboard is older or damaged. The taller baseboard makes the house look more expensive. Decorative molding around door/wall openings and/or crown molding can also make the house look more expensive.

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