Polished Chrome Tub

Prepare Your House for Sale

1. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home.
* Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold

much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf.
* Make the mental decision to "let go" of your emotions and focus on the fact

that soon this house will no longer be yours.
* Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance

warranties to the new owners!
* Say goodbye to every room.
* Don't look backwards -- look toward the future.

2. De-Personalize.
Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can't see past

personal artifacts, and you don't want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine

their own photos on the walls, and they can't do that if yours are there! You don't want to

make any buyer ask, "I wonder what kind of people live in this home?" You want buyers to

say, "I can see myself living here."

3. De-Clutter!
People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven't used it in

over a year, you probably don't need it.
* If you don't need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
* Remove all books from bookcases.
* Pack up those knickknacks.
* Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
* Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet

when not in use.
* Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need

to do anyway.

4. Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it

sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything

organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This

means:
* Alphabetize spice jars.
* Neatly stack dishes.
* Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
* Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
* Line up shoes.

5. Rent a Storage Unit.
Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that

block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now

empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear

larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room's purpose and plenty

of room to move around. You don't want buyers scratching their heads and saying, "What is

this room used for?"

6. Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you,

remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great

grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a

buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those

items and replace them, if necessary.

7. Make Minor Repairs.
* Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
* Patch holes in walls.
* Fix leaky faucets.
* Fix doors that don't close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
* Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown

accustomed to purple or pink walls.
(Don't give buyers any reason to remember your home as "the house with the

orange bathroom.")
* Replace burned-out light bulbs.
* If you've considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

8. Make the House Sparkle!
* Wash windows inside and out.
* Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
* Clean out cobwebs.
* Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
* Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
* Clean out the refrigerator.
* Vacuum daily.
* Wax floors.
* Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
* Bleach dingy grout.
* Replace worn rugs.
* Hang up fresh towels.
* Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
* Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.

9. Scrutinize.
* Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside?

Does the house welcome you?
* Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look

to a buyer.
* Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it

makes sense.
* Make sure window coverings hang level.
* Tune in to the room's statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and

pizzazz?
* Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You're almost finished.

10. Check Curb Appeal.
If a buyer won't get out of her agent's car because she doesn't like the exterior of

your home, you'll never get her inside.
* Keep the sidewalks cleared.
* Mow the lawn.
* Paint faded window trim.
* Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying

emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
* Trim your bushes.
* Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

About the Author

Sharon Samraj is an expert author,who is presently
working on the site jeff adams. He has written many articles in various topics like real estate investing.For more information contact jeffadam,realestatemillionaire.