If you are a seriously motivated seller and you want to get top dollar for your home, then you need to read on. Buyers are very educated right now. As you're aware through media attention, most areas throughout the USA are in a buyers market right now. Dave Liniger of RE/MAX predicts this market will continue for at least another year. That should not concern you if you're prepared to sell. As I mentioned earlier, buyers are more educated than sellers right now. They are doing their research, even if that's just by touring homes. In your market, if there are 20 homes in your price range for sale, then you can just about guarantee that the buyers have already toured at least 3/4 of those homes. You want yours to impress them and not depress them. Your home will be compared to all of the others that they have viewed.

Aside from correctly pricing the home with your REALTOR, there are other tips that you should consider.

1. Repair/replace/paint the doors. You've heard it before, the entrance makes the first impression. If the screen is torn and the door has scuffs along the bottom and the kids finger prints, it needs corrected. THIS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

2. Check out the roof. One of the first questions buyers have is HOW OLD IS THE ROOF? You want the house to look as nonproblematic as possible. If there are missing shingles or leaks, fix them before the sign goes in the yard.

3. Clean Gutters. If a buyer looks at your home on a stormy day and sees the rain water flowing over the gutters rather than through, they will begin to wonder what other items you haven't kept up the maintenance on.

4. Patch Nail Holes. One thing your realtor may tell you is to remove personal photos or clutter on the walls. This may leave some sightly nail holes. Patch those and repaint. It looks horrible to a buyer is there are holes all over the walls.

5. Stop smoking in the house. Yes it's your home and you can do as you please, but the smell of cigarette smoke is a HUGE turn-off to many buyers. Non-smokers have the excellent sence to scope out the smell of smoke. This has been a number one reason why buyers don't go past the entryway, if they smell smoke.

6. Remove pets. Yes Spot and Fluffy are a part of your family, but the potential buyers of your home may have real problems with animals, even allergies. This means it's best to keep pets out of the house during showings and the entire time it's listed on the market if that's possible.  

7. Replace damaged vinyl flooring. If you have discolored vinyl or if it's loose, replace it. Vinyl is inexpensive enough that it's well worth the repair. Flooring is a obvious repair for buyers, don't let it be the reason they walk away.

8. Stop faucet drips. Leaky faucets are a big concern for buyers. In most cases this is not a tough repair and well worth the time. If the faucets are outdated, rusted, etc, replace them. A shiny new faucet makes a big difference.

9.Spiff up dinged baseboards. The appearance of your home will be critiqued closer than you have looked at it probably in years. Clean the scapes, smudges and marks left by children, pets, the sweeper, etc. Repaint if necessary.

10. Clean up kitchen cabinets. Wood cabinets should shine. If painted, consider a fresh coat of paint. New hardware also make a huge impression.

As you've read through this list, you may think these are minor things to worry about and you're right. But remember the smallest things make the largest difference. These repairs will spruce up your home and the value of it. Good Luck!