Buyers have about 20 minutes to decide whether or not they like your home—and about 50% of their mind’s made up even before they enter the front door. It’s a perception game, and if you want to command a good price for your property, you need to invest time (and sometimes money!) to pretty it up.

First step is to clean your house and make it look as neat as the pictures in the magazines. Hide the really bulky items where the buyers can’t see them; hold a garage sale if you need to (you need to streamline things before you move, anyway). Your table and counter tops should be cleared of everything except the bare essentials or maybe a few decorative items. This may take a few weekends (and a lot of boxes) but it’s worth the effort: not only will your house look nicer, it’ll also look bigger because of the sense of space.

Wash windows and mirrors, wipe away smudges from door knobs and light switches, remove stains and spatters on kitchen appliances, and polish metal fixtures till they gleam. Wash curtains and carpets, and replace the light bulbs to one with a higher voltage. Bright light has a psychological effect on people—they feel happier, and the house tends to look "newer."

Repair misaligned shutters, bent gutters, loose shingles, squeaky steps, leaky faucets. Repaint the walls, sidings, shingles and fences. Clean the tiles and caulking in bathrooms, and replace discolored wall paper and cover water stains. While technically you can leave these "as is" and let the new owner worry about them, you’ll get more buyers if the house looks spic and span. Anyway, you can always tuck in the costs of repair into your selling price.

And let’s not forget—first impressions last, so the lawn has to look great. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim shrubs and trees of any dead limbs or debris, and bring in a few potted plants. Hide away the lawn equipment, and if you have a pet, make sure any "accidents" are cleared before the buyers arrive. Now you’re all set. Of course, with the house looking that great, are you sure you still want to sell it?

More Home Selling Tips

Only Need One Form? Purchase forms
separately for only $4.99 each