Try to imagine how a potential buyer would see your property from the first drive-by: overgrown shrubs, peeling paint and a yard full of mismatched lawn furniture are unlikely to provoke warm and cozy feelings.

So make sure to keep the outside tidy, regardless of the season.

The lawn should be mowed, leaves raked, snow removed. The driveway, sidewalk and front steps should be swept clean and in good condition, and the yard needs to be clutter free. Pay particular attention to your front door, Farrell advises.

"People may judge how the house is maintained by how the front door is maintained," she says. "If the front door is not in good shape, people think the house is not in good shape."

Make the entrance more welcoming by painting, polishing, or replacing the door, knob and knocker. Replace or repair locks that don't operate smoothly. If the real estate agent has to drop what she's holding to fiddle with the door, the entry doesn't present an image of convenience and gracious living.

Some homeowners have their houses inspected before they put them on the market, in order to get a professional opinion about what needs to be fixed and to schedule repairs.

Keep your broker posted about any upcoming improvements or maintenance, so he or she can pass on the information to buyers. "Remove objections before they exist,



Immaculate Perception

Inside, the house should be spotless from top to bottom, including inside the refrigerator, microwave and closets.
 keeping the home "Q-tip clean," using the tiny tools to wipe around the edges of baseboards and the tile at the base of toilets. Windows should be washed regularly, inside and out, while the house is on the market.

Declare war on clutter. As Veto points out, rooms look smaller when they're full of books, magazines and collections. Anything personal should be put away -- into storage if necessary. The goal is to help buyers to understand what the house has to offer, rather than impressing them with your personal taste or possessions.

For example, they should notice the wood molding on the fireplace mantel, not the cute babies in the cluster of photos you have displayed on it, or they should see that you have installed new windows, rather than fixating on the idea that the color of your drapes doesn't go with their couch. "People bring virtually no imagination when looking at a house," Gilligan says. "Anything out of the ordinary -- red paint, a bed angled in a corner -- will throw them off."

Be honest with yourself about the condition of the interior, and consider replacing anything that looks worn or shabby. "Dual working families don't have time to come in and do renovations, so they want a place in move-in condition," Veto points out.

recommended painting, refinishing wood floors, installing new tile, carpets and draperies, and putting in new bathroom fixtures.
 

If you've been using a bedroom or dining room as a home office or TV room, Black recommends redecorating the room for its original purpose.

"Use a room for what it's meant to be. If they can't see it, you can't sell it," Black points out. "Sellers should createthe feeling of going to a hotel, clean and sterile: People can see where to put their things, and how to use the space."

Pet owners must take extra steps to ensure their animals are not seen, heard or smelled during showings.

Buyers may be afraid of them or allergic; even animal lovers don't want to encounter pet stains or be accosted by a large or unusual beast (like a snake or ferret) running loose in the house.

As a final step in preparing the house for a showing,we recommend leaving the lights on in every room and opening all curtains and window blinds. "The brightness will jazz up a home, that makes people feel really connected.

 

Can't Somebody Else Do It?

Professional home stagers make the process easier for busy homeowners, either by walking you through what to do, or by actually doing it.

As Veto points out, "A stager could make a difference in the time it takes to sell your home, plus it may get you more money."

For those who aren't do-it-yourselfers, stagers can be hired to do the actual work for them.

Call the “A” Team for further information.