10 Tips for Selling a Home that Cooks

Some small steps like having the closets half empty and changing to higher wattage bulbs can have a big impact when selling a home.

As a self-proclaimed foodie, she also included more than 100 pages of recipes and cooking tips in her book along with advice on buying and selling a home.

Here are just 10 of her tips from her book on selling a home:

1. Don't attend your open house. Think back to when you were shopping for a house—would you have felt comfortable to speak your mind with the owner hovering? Give serious buyers room to have an honest conversation with each other and their agent without feeling the need to edit themselves.

2. Don't pretend to be a buyer at your open house. This will likely backfire and you will drive away real potential buyers with this crazy behavior. If you feel like you need feedback, ask your agent to tell you the useful comments from the open house.

3. Provide attractions not distractions. You want to showcase your home and appeal to buyers, but go too far and you could detract. There is nothing wrong with providing cool drinks on a hot day to make buyers more comfortable—it could motivate them to stay longer and see more of the house.

4. Consider seasonal preferences. While preparing your property and taking steps to market it to potential buyers, consider what seasonal aspects will be appealing while you are selling it. A roaring fire in winter or beautiful spring blooms may help you get a better offer.

5. Provide full access to the property. You want to be sure buyers can view your whole property when they visit. Unless there is a safety issue, you should not make any rooms, closets, or areas off limits. It is called an open house, after all.

6. Hold your open house during common times. If at all possible, schedule your open house at the same time as others in the area. Potential buyers often spend a few hours on Sundays and want to maximize their time and see multiple properties while they are out. Though it may be more convenient for you to do it another time, you may limit the number of people that can attend.

7. Don't neglect the neighbors. Your neighbors are good assets—they may know people who want to live in the neighborhood and can tell their friends about your property. Invite them to your open houses and offer flyers they can pass along.

8. Price it right. How do you know what to set for the price? Have it evaluated by an appraiser for its value, then lower that number by 15 to 20 percent. This may sound counterintuitive, but this will likely cause a bidding war between potential buyers that may drive the price up even higher than it's worth.

9. Make sure your closets are half-empty. You know that buyers like to look in every door, so you must always keep closets and cabinets clean and organized. But a great tip is to take half of your things out of the closets and make what is left extremely neat.

10. Maximize the light in your home. A bright and cheery house is more sellable. Do whatever you can to increase the light, including removing drapes, cleaning windows, and changing to higher wattage light bulbs.

Southerland is a member of the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, the Missouri Real Estate Commission, and the Kansas Real Estate Commission.

Survey Finds 36% of American Homeowners Think at Least Half Their Home is Disorganized

According to a recent survey by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and Decluttr, it couldn't come at a better time. In anticipation of the time-honored tradition to clean house and home, the organizing experts at NAPO and the decluttering experts at Decluttr, teamed up to find out just how disorganized Americans feel. Turns out not only could they feel more organized in their homes, but being more organized would also save them time and a great deal of stress.

"We want Americans to realize that organization isn't just about making sure your home looks clean," says Stephen Sumner, Group Marketing Director, "it is also about peace of mind and actually ends up saving people a significant amount of time in their day when they know where things are in their home."

In addition to finding that 36% of homeowners think at least half their home is disorganized, the survey also revealed the following:

• 75% of Americans turn to mobile apps like Decluttr to help them get more organized
• Of those surveyed who hired a personal organizer, 37% did so to have a less stressful home
• More than a third of respondents listed family living spaces as the most disorganized area in the home
• 85% of respondents would save up to an hour a day if they were more organized

While organizing a home may seem like a big task, services like Decluttr that pay for unwanted clutter can provide an additional motivating factor. Last year, Americans sent 1 million units of media (DVDs, CDs and video games) to Decluttr and made almost $1 million collectively.

For more information on the survey and any questions, please contact Decluttr at decluttr@cerconebrown.com

About Decluttr Decluttr is an easy-to-use online service for people looking to earn cash by selling used DVDs, CDs and video games that are taking up space in their homes. Decluttr is owned by Entertainment Magpie (http://www.musicmagpie.co.uk), a UK-based multi-category recommerce business enabling consumers to go online and sell a wide range of used media. Decluttr marks the brand's first U.S. venture. For more information, visit www.decluttr.com. 

About NAPO The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) leads and advances the organizing and productivity industry. NAPO was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit professional educational association for professional organizers. Today, NAPO has nearly 4,000 members worldwide representing the full spectrum of the global industry: professional organizers, productivity specialists, manufacturers, retailers, service providers, trainers, authors, educators, and more. NAPO is The Organizing Authority®. NAPO serves its members and the public by providing professional educational opportunities, industry leadership, productive partnerships and expert information and solutions to foster growth and fulfillment for all who work within the organizing and productivity industry or benefit from its services. NAPO is headquartered in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and is on the web atwww.NAPO.net.

Sell Your Home Faster with Staging Ideas

LANSING, Mich. -- Did you know 95 percent of staged homes sell in 11 or fewer days, and the seller's return is 17 percent greater than a comparable home that hasn't been staged?

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, the industry's leading moving services franchise, has partnered with home-staging expert and Realtor®Katie Spyke from Tomie Raines, Inc. of Greater Lansing, Mich., to offer advice aimed at increasing the appeal of your home to potential buyers with the ultimate goal of achieving the asking price for home sellers.

Following these simple tips will allow a home to be more appealing to prospective homebuyers:

Clean extremely well. This is a no-brainer, but too many people neglect to clean their home from top to bottom. Although it is acceptable for the space to look comfortable and lived in, be sure to wipe down all counters and floorboards while keeping the closets neat and organized to show off all the available storage space.

Spruce up with a fresh coat of paint. Paint is one of the most important elements in making your home feel inviting. Neutral colors, such as ivory or grey, are the most welcoming tones and they allow the potential buyers to easily see the room as a fresh canvas to decorate. To make smaller rooms seem larger, use the same paint color as the adjacent room. This creates an ongoing illusion of continuous wall space and the impression of a larger room.

Add more lighting. People immediately will notice how dark a space is, which could make it feel uninviting or cold. By increasing the wattage of light bulbs and enhancing the existing light, a room becomes more open and inviting. This, in turn, prompts guests to ruminate longer. Be sure to include overhead fixtures, task-associated kitchen or reading bulbs, and wall or table options.

Remove personal touches. People want to envision living in the home, and they wish to imagine their family creating memories in the space. When your family photos are on display, it inhibits them from feeling that empty canvas to start anew.

Cut the clutter. Remove all unnecessary items. Whether it is decoration, furniture, mail, or bathroom necessities, throw it out or put it away. A large and spacious countertop is important to show all the space available for food preparation or getting ready in the bathroom. Additionally, by removing items, the room's size will be maximized.

Experts Rate Curb Appeal and Staging as Best Home Improvement Projects for Sellers

New Zillow Digs Survey of Real Estate Agents and Interior Designers Finds Homeowners Should Avoid Costly Renovations Prior To Listing Their Home For Sale

SEATTLE -- Today's home sellers should focus on curb appeal and home staging above larger-scale home renovations, according to a new survey[i] from Zillow Digs®. Zillow asked real estate agents and interior designers nationwide to identify the most valuable home improvements for sellers, and the experts agree that minor improvements like landscaping and painting walls in neutral colors save money and attract buyers faster.

Agents agree that sellers should avoid costly projects prior to listing their home, as the increased sale price may not outweigh the time and money spent on the remodel. Instead, agents and designers recommend spending money on minor renovations that will bring the home up to current market standards while also appealing to the broadest number of potential buyers.

"Buyers have more homes to choose from this year, compared to last year," said Amy Bohutinsky, Zillow chief marketing officer and guest judge on NBC's new reality show American Dream Builders.  "And in a crowded market, sellers should prioritize spending time and money on upgrades that have mass appeal. Home buyers don't want to feel as if they are paying top-dollar for someone else's decorating style. An inviting exterior and landscape, fresh paint in neutral colors, and clutter-free spaces will always appeal to a broad range of tastes."

Zillow Digs Survey Reveals Top 5 Projects for Home Sellers

Curb Appeal: Creating a strong first impression is imperative as buyers begin making assumptions about a home well before they step inside. "A clean entrance can go a long way toward establishing a positive first impression," said Zillow Agent Advisory Board member, Cyndi Lesinski of Valencia, Calif. Lesinski recommends adding "fresh potted flowers to increase the life and energy of the entrance." Another tip is to simply add a fresh coat of paint to the front door. Black, dark charcoal and tasteful reds such as burgundy or cranberry are currently the most popular front door colors on Zillow Digs. These colors bring tasteful exuberance to the home without being too overbearing for potential buyers.

Staging: A home stager can skillfully identify ways to highlight your home's best features and compensate for its shortcomings. The goal is to make "your home appeal to the broadest audience and number of buyers possible," says Zillow Digs Board of Designers member Mara Miller of Carrier and Company in New York City. When staging, remove all personal belongings and avoid colors or furniture that are too style-specific – neutral colors and minimal furniture are best. "Attempting to decorate may not be the best use of your time and dollars," says Miller.

Invest in Small Home Improvements:  Both agents and designers agree that sellers should never invest in a major renovation before selling. No matter how out-of-date a home is, "major renovations prior to sale usually will not equal a dollar-for-dollar return, and the time invested outweighs selling it faster," says Zillow Agent Advisory Board member Chris Speicher, of The Speicher Group and RE/MAX in Washington, D.C. Instead, sellers should spend time and money on smaller updates that will bring the home up to market value. These kinds of projects include updating lighting fixtures, cabinet or door handles, and minor kitchen and bathroom updates.

Declutter: This sounds simple, but according to Zillow experts, it's the one of the most important things a homeowner should do before selling. A clean house feels more spacious and helps buyers easily envision themselves in the home. "Nothing trumps the aesthetic of a clean and cared-for home," says Zillow Digs Board of Designers member Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab inSacramento, Calif. "Old appliances and furniture can be overlooked if a space is clean, simple and well-edited."

Granite Countertops and Stainless Steel Appliances: Most buyers are still requesting "granite countertops and stainless steel appliances," says Zillow Agent Advisory Board member Bic DeCaro of Westgate Realty Group in Falls Church, Va. Keep in mind that most "high-end finishes don't equal high-end returns," says DeCaro. However, incorporating granite and new appliances can help catch a buyer's eye.

Launched in 2013, Zillow Digs is Zillow's home improvement marketplace where home shoppers and homeowners can find visual inspiration and understand the real cost of remodeling projects. Users can browse over 640,000 photos and see Zillow's proprietary Digs Estimates for the estimated cost, based on where they live, of the actual bathrooms and kitchens they are viewing. They can create, save and share Boards of ideas they love, comment on photos and follow people with similar interests.

Home Staging Tips

Quick Tip for First Time Home Sellers

Tips for Selling Your Home in the Winter

Survey Says: More People Will Be Building with Recycled Building Materials This Spring

NEW YORK -- Every spring, more and more people start home improvement projects. Good news for the Earth: This spring, many of those people will be building with recycled building materials. In a recent poll by Hometalk.com, 91% of respondents said that they had either used recycled building materials this year, or were planning to.  You can see the growth in use of recycled building materials in these numbers:

• ·         Consumption of composite lumber made from recycled plastics increased by 58% in recent years, according to Recycling Today. 
• ·         The primary market for recycled plastics is the composite lumber industry, according to The American Chemistry Council. 
• ·         According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, 88% of today's structural steel is made from recycled materials. 
• ·         The Harvard Graduate School of Design reports a sharp increase in the use of sustainable roofing materials. 

·       While recycled lumber and composite decking lead the pack in popularity, other recycled building materials are seeing an increase in consumer demand. For instance, Hometalk.com member Brooks Custom, a fabricator of unique upscale counter tops, has expanded his line of counter tops to include recycled woods, metals, and concretes in order to meet customer demand for these materials.

"At Brooks we are experiencing an increased demand for Antique Chestnut and Southern Yellow Heart Pine from barn beams. These woods are very attractive and include lots of distress marks and imperfections. Our stainless steel countertops look crisp and new but steel is one of the most recycled metals in the world. Over 80% of waste steel is recycled and turned into new products, including countertops. Glass is another highly-recyclable material that has gained popularity, and we've seen an uptick in glass specialty tops," said Todd Costello of Brooks Custom.

"Many of the most popular projects on Hometalk.com are projects that incorporate recycled building materials. People seem to get extra enjoyment out of remodeling and building with these materials. I expect to see even more Hometalk.com members posting projects that involve recycled building materials as the spring remodeling season heats up," said Miriam Illions , Director of Community Development at Hometalk.com.

ABOUT HOMETALK: Hometalk is the center for home & garden on the Web, where DIYers and pros share ideas, inspiration and advice for their homes. The creatively charged community even makes doing household chores fun! You can browse through anything from DIY cleaners and repurposed pallets to successful gardening secrets and jaw dropping remodels from the pros! You'll discover and connect to passionate people who share your interests, and you will always have a helpful community to go to for advice on Hometalk: http://www.hometalk.com.

Landscape Spending to Increase for Hardscapes and Specialty Services in 2013, According to Survey Conducted by Harris Interactive for PLANET

HERNDON, Va -- A new U.S. online survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of PLANET, the national trade association of landscape industry professionals, shows that consumers are looking to increase spending on hardscapes (outdoor kitchens, patios, decks, water features, and walkways) and other specialized services (irrigation and lighting). Hardscaping comprises outdoor living spaces and paved, non-living components of a landscape.

The study, conducted on behalf of PLANET in February 2013, surveyed 2,219 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 1,830 have a lawn or landscape. Consumers were asked about their spending on professional lawn and landscape services from lawn care and landscape maintenance to tree care, water features, and outdoor lighting.  

Overall Spending Trends
While overall consumer spending is expected to remain steady in most categories, landscape maintenance (mowing, edging, leaf cleanup) will see a modest increase in spending ($700 on average in the coming year[1] vs. $600[2] in the past year), while spending will increase to hire a professional for hardscapes and specialty services[3] ($2,300 on average in the coming year vs. $1,680 in the past year).

"Despite the sluggish economy, our core landscape maintenance services are holding steady, while consumers are deciding to increase their investment in projects that encourage 'staycations' and outdoor entertaining, and ultimately improve the resale value of the home," said PLANET CEO, Sabeena Hickman , CAE, CMP.

Who is spending the most on landscape services?
Men outpace women when it comes to hiring professional landscape help over the past year (39 percent vs. 32 percent), and younger adults, ages 18 to 34, stand out as most likely to have hired professionals for the building of outdoor living spaces, patios, and walkways over the past year (9 percent vs. 3 percent of those age 35+). 

In general, 35 percent of those with a lawn/landscape have hired professionals to do lawn and landscape services over the past year, with those in the South (38 percent) and West (40 percent) being more likely to have hired a professional than those in the Midwest (29 percent.)

Why do consumers find value in hiring landscape services?
The most often cited reasons for hiring a professional for lawn/landscape services[4] are as follows: "They don't have the knowledge, skills or physical ability" (42 percent), and "they don't have the right equipment" (42 percent) to do the landscape work themselves.  

Interestingly, younger adults (18 to 34) were more likely than their older counterparts to say "don't have the patience" as a reason to hire a professional.  

"Eighteen to 34 year olds might be more digitally connected than their parents, but they are still putting a high priority on outdoor entertainment areas. They are looking to landscape professionals to take on work that is not only time-consuming, but also requires a high degree of expertise to be done well," added Hickman.

For the full report visit, www.loveyourlandscape.com or contact lisaschaumann@landcarenetwork.org.

About the Survey

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of PLANET from February 7 to 11, 2013, among 2,219 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 1,830 have a lawn/landscape. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Lisa Schaumann at lisaschaumann@landcarenetwork.org.

About PLANET
PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, is the national trade association representing more than 100,000 landscape industry professionals, who create and maintain healthy, green living spaces for communities across America. PLANET members are committed to the highest standards in industry education, best practices, and business professionalism. Many of PLANET's professionals have attained the status of becoming Landscape Industry Certified, achieving the greatest level of industry expertise and knowledge. Visit PLANET at www.landcarenetwork.org. 

Related Links

Landscape Survey and Tips

Curb Appeal: Getting Buyers Through the Door

More times than I can count, I’ve pulled away from a home without getting out because the buyer didn’t like the looks of it from the outside. In the buyer’s mind, if a house is unappealing from the outside, it’ll be no better on the inside - regardless of what the interior really looks like.

Make sure  exterior isn't scaring potential buyers away. Step across the street and take a long, honest look at your home. Do you like what you see? If you don’t, then chances are potential buyers won’t either.

First make sure the exterior of your home is in good repair. If siding is coming loose, shutters are hanging askew, shingles are missing or windows are cracked, make those kinds of repairs first. If the paint is cracked or faded, repaint. Most buyers would rather avoid any home deemed a “fixer upper.

Next, what does the front door look like? Beat up front doors can turn away potential buyers regardless of what the rest of the exterior looks like. Give new life to an old front door with new stain or a fresh coat of paint and take the time to sand out scratches. Also, make sure the door hangs straight and opens and closes easily. Locks should turn easily. It’s frustrating when real estate agents must fiddle with the lock. I dread nothing more than showing instructions with detailed directions on how to get the door open.

Even if a buyer falls in love with your home as is, they will likely ask for these many of these repairs anyway - or concessions on the price in anticipation of the work they’ll have to do themselves.

Even if the home is in good repair, there’s still more you can do to stand out. If the exterior of the home is dirty, wash it. Most home improvement stores have do-it-yourself power washing tools, but for the best results, you might have to have it professionally pressure washed.

Wash window exteriors and replace torn or missing screens. Sweep and mop porches, patios and balconies. Make sure you sweep cobwebs and flying insect nests from underneath porch coverings.

Replace broken or missing outside light fixtures. Replace any fence pickets or gates that are visible from the street. Repair or replace broken flower bed edging. Pack away any yard art, statuary and flower pots.

Clean up grease stains from the driveway. You can start by soaking up grease stains with cat litter for a couple of hours. After you sweep up the cat litter, saturate the spots with a degreasing dish detergent and let that soak for a couple of hours. You might have to scrub the stains with a stiff brush as well. If that doesn’t work, you might have to have the drive way power washed as well.

Next turn your attention to the landscape. Make sure the yard is clear of any debris - leaves, brush, old newspapers and trash. If you have bare spots in your lawn, lay down enough sod to cover the problem. Trim bushes and pull up any dead landscaping and clean out the flower beds. Once the flower beds are cleaned out, spruce up them up with a layer of fresh mulch and some seasonal spot color. You don’t have to go overboard, just add enough color to make entrance bright and inviting.

If you’re thinking about selling your home and need a few tips, give me a shout!

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Staging Your Home

After you’ve decluttered, cleaned and repaired your home, now it’s time to stage it. Staging turns your home into a showplace where buyers can envision themselves living. It is yet another tactic to help you get top dollar for your home.

The first step in home staging is to depersonalize it. Buyers want to visualize themselves in the space with their things, and your stuff - your memories - can get in the way. Pack up anything that makes the home uniquely yours - personal framed photos, photo albums, scrapbooks - anything personal. Also pack up mementoes from past vacations, work, school or anything else that you save for sentimental purposes.

Also put away holiday-oriented décor. Not all buyers celebrate the same holidays. This is easier to do for spring and summer holidays than for winter holidays. If you go all out for Christmas, you might consider pairing back or even waiting until after the holidays before listing.

Do decorate your home with neutral décor. Showcase your most current, trendy pieces. But do so sparingly. And make sure those pieces sparkle like the rest of your home. Take a tour through a builder’s model to get ideas about what’s in style. Chances are buyers have toured model homes, and they’ll know what’s in style too.

After you’ve got your home looking good, you can focus on the more subtle aspect of staging. Your home should not only appeal to the eyes but the nose and ears as well.

A deep cleaning will help neutralize odors, but you can go a step further. Invest in an electric potpourri pot or fragrance warmers that you can plug into an electrical outlet. Choose clean scents appropriate to the season. I recommend linen or floral in spring, citrus in summer, wood or vanilla for fall and evergreen for winters.

For an open house, you can bake cookies and leave them on the counter in a decorative plate. You can also leave out a candle for your Realtor to burn. I never suggest leaving a burning candle unattended, even if you’re just stepping out for an hour or two while your house is being shown.

If you have pets, make sure to clean their spaces frequently - wash bedding, change litter boxes, etc….

No matter how clean a home looks, if it doesn’t smell clean, that’s one more chance for another home to jump head on the buyer’s list of favorites.

Finally, listen to what your home sounds like. Do you have humming appliances? Can hear traffic sounds or your neighbors? Barking dogs? Use your sound system or even television to mask over those sounds with background music. If you don’t have a sound system, turn to your cable provider. Many cable services have music channels that will work just as well. Select a channel that features light instrumentals. Tune all your televisions to the same channel for a cohesive sound throughout your home, but don’t blast the sound. You want it just loud enough to create ambiance.

When potential buyers walk into a house, they want to feel like they belong there. Staging is cost-effective way to quickly and easily improve your home’s appeal to potential buyers and make them feel at home.
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Getting Your Home Ready to Sell This Spring

North Texas’ pre-existing inventory of homes is the lowest that it’s been in months and prices are stronger than they’ve been in years. Now is an attractive time to upsize, downsize, move closer to work, into a new school district, or otherwise sell your home. But simply listing your home doesn’t necessarily mean home a quick sale, especially if your home looks… well… lived in. To make sure your property makes a buyer’s short list, you’ll likely need to invest some elbow grease so your home shines above the rest.

Declutter. If you’re serious about selling your home, start cleaning out closets and packing now. When you get a contract, you’ll have about a month, maybe six weeks, to pack up. Though a month may seem like a lot of time now, cleaning out and packing will inevitably be a daunting task when the time comes. Decluttering also will make your home show better because counters, closets and storage spaces will seem more spacious. As a result your home will show better.

If you have any fixtures or window treatments you plan to take with you, take them down and replace them. When a buyer purchases your home, they’ll expect everything attached to the home to be included in the sale. Your Realtor can list exclusions in the MLS database, but if you really want to keep an heirloom light fixture, high-tech showerhead or designer draperies, pack them away before you even put your home on the market.

The decluttering stage would be a good time to host a garage sale. Click here to request a free copy of my “Clearing out the Clutter,” a comprehensive guide to hosting a successful garage sale. My guide offers up proven tips and tactics for making money and ditching your junk so you don’t have to move it.

After you’ve unloaded your junk, pack up everything except for the essentials. When you have a showing, you’ll have less to pick up, and when it comes time to move, you’ll have one major chore already crossed off of your to-do list.

Clean. A clean home shows better than a dirty home. The perception is that a dirty home needs work, while a clean, “move-in ready” home represents a better value. I’ve had buyers walk out of homes that otherwise meet their needs just because they were dirty.

A little elbow grease can prevent that buyer about face. On top of your routine cleaning, make sure you pay attention to these often overlooked areas:

• Corners, floor to ceiling inside and out
• Tile grout
• Ceiling fans and light fixtures
• Faceplates
• Baseboards
• Underneath and behind furniture
• Cabinets and drawers, inside and out
• Oven, microwave and other build-in appliances.
• Stair banisters, top to bottom
• Windows, inside and out
• Doors and door frames
• Window blinds and other window coverings, including curtain rods
• Mirrors
• Shelves
• Garage floor - sweep, mop and degrease.
• Drains, clean out and deodorize
• Porches, patios and balconies, sweep and mop
• Exterior brick and siding
• HVAC filters

Also have your carpets professionally cleaned, especially if you have pets. If your carpet has pet odors that aren’t neutralized with a good cleaning, you may have to consider new carpet. Your Realtor can advise you about your options here.

Repair. If you get an offer on your home, you’ll likely be given a list of items that the prospective buyer would like for you to fix as part of the deal. Frequently these requests come after a buyer has had the home inspected.

The list could include big ticket items such as the roof or foundation. You should already know whether you have problems there. Your Realtor can offer advice on how to deal with these kinds of problems.

The buyer’s list of requests likely will include anything that is obviously broken or in need of repair. Frequently the prospective buyer will ask you to have the problems “professionally repaired,” and you’ll have to show receipts proving that they were fixed. To save time and money later, fix those problems beforehand, especially if you can do it yourself.

Other problems aren’t as obvious. While you’re deep cleaning, you’ll likely find some small things that need repair. During your deep clean, make a list of those things so you can come back to them later. Here are some things to look for:

• Burned out light bulbs
• Broken or cracked face plates
• Cracks in corners and seams in the Sheetrock and back splashes
• Chipped, cracked or loose tile
• Loose carpet and other flooring
• Dripping faucets
• Running toilets
• Nail holes
• Drafty windows and doors

Many of these things require nothing more than bead of calk, a bit of adhesive or an inexpensive part from the hardware store. While they might be small things to you, they could very well end up on the buyer’s list of requested repairs too. But even if they don’t, a well maintained home stands out among the competition.

Paint. A fresh coat of paint makes any home feel fresh and clean. If possible, paint inside and out. If that’s not feasible, repaint any wall that’s been patched, has a lot of nail holes, can’t be cleaned or otherwise in obvious need of help.

Also paint over colors that are dated or faded or are TOO custom. Recently, I toured a home with a shocking green laundry room that matched nothing else in the house. Unless the homeowner repaints, they’ll have a very limited pool of buyers. The same can be said for children’s rooms painted in pinks and blues and purples. To make your home more appealing to the largest number of buyers, Consider neutral or earth tone colors that highlight flooring, counter tops or other features in your home.

Investing a little time and money before listing your home could mean a quick, top-dollar pay off after the sign goes in your yard.

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How To Stage A Living Room To Sell

Staging for an Open House