• Focus on curb appeal
• Keep your home as empty as possible
• Keep your home fragrant free
• Make all necessary repairs
• Make your home as attractive as possible

Set the Stage to Sell your Home

1. Focus on the curb appeal- The first impression are lasting impressions. Therefore, keep your grass well-watered and trimmed down to an even level. Also, trim your tree branches and plant some blooming flowers. If possible, put some fresh paint on the exterior of the home to make it look more appealing, and if you are showing your home in the evening, turn on your porch lights and any other attractive lighting you might have set in place. Remember to keep your driveway clean and completely clear of all objects, such as toys, gardening tools, etc. Keep everything that may be distracting out of sight. Also, if you want to make the best impression possible, consider landscaping your front lawn. There are some simple techniques you can use to make your lawn look fantastic. Consider the doing the following:

   • Add trees and flower beds- Planting trees and bushes along your driveway creates the illusion of a natural border and is sure to attract attention.

   • Install a trellis- A trellis that leads to the entrance of your home makes the home look appealing and inviting. Make sure to plant some fast growing vines to give it the nature's appeal of green, luscious beauty.
   • Plant a small garden- If you share your driveway, separate your driveway and make it stand out by planting a small garden of roses in between your driveway and your neighbor's driveway.
   • Add gravel to your lawn- An effective way to allure the sights of others is to simple add colorful gravel. Choose a color that suites your character and style. If you like to be bold, use dark shades of gravel, like red, and if you like to be subtle, use lighter shades, like blue or gray.

2. Keep your home as empty as possible- Keep furniture, photo frames, certificates, and all other items to a minimum. Remember, buyers want to see your home, not your valuables. They want to be able to visualize how they can place their furniture and essentials in the amount of space your rooms provide. Therefore, keep your rooms as clear and empty as possible. Also, remember to keep your jewelry and other expensive items locked in a safe, inconspicuous place. Open all lights, even during the afternoon and open all draperies, to give the best impression of space. Consider replacing lower voltage lights with higher voltage, to make your home look as bright and as large as possible. Also, if possible, try not to be home. Prospective buyers want to envision the home as their own, give them the privacy they desire.
3. Keep your home fragrant free- Some people are extremly sensitive and are allergic to most scents. Therefore, keep your home as smell-free as possible, by bathing your pets, shampooing and dry cleaning your carpets throughout the house, and emptying all trash cans and recycling bins. Place fresh potpourri in every room, right before the showing. It may be a good idea to pop a fresh batch of cookies into the oven for a welcoming aroma.
4. Make All Necessary Repairs- In order to have better chances of selling your home, make sure that all needed repairs are handled. Remember, buyers have different personalities and some may be very picky, therefore, you need to inspect your home thourougly. Make sure to complete all maintenance work before listing your home, so that prospective buyers can envision that you have maintained your home in good condition. Consider getting a home inspection for a list of detailed repairs you need to make. This will help avoid any surprises during the buyer's home inspection that may force you to lower your price or make costly last-minute repairs. Here are a few minors repairs you should start out with:

   • Inspect doors and windows for breakage and peeling paint.
   • Check the basement's foundation for cracks or water marks.
   • Clean and align all gutters.
   • Repair and replace loose roof shingles.
   • Repair and repaint loose siding and chaulking, especially in bathrooms.

5. Make your home as attractive as possible- Make your house as cozy as possible. Most buyers buy on emotion and end up purchasing the home in which they feel comfortable, safe, and secure. Make your bed with the best set of bed sheets and comforter. Hang matching curtains in every room. Set the dining table with your most elegant dishes and glassware. Place new curtains and towels in the bathroom. Place some logs in the fireplace. Use your imagination.

After completing all the necessary preparations, make your house available for showings as much as possible, so Realtors can show it to many buyers. Remember an important aspect in selling your home is to make competition through multiple buyers. Try your best to meet their needs. Ask your agent to place a lock box in an easily accessible place to make it easy for other agents to show your home.

Your next step in the home selling process, can either make or break the sale. Therefore, take considerable care in carrying out this step. It involves setting the price.