5 Areas of Concern when Selling your Home.

1. Spruce up your Curb Appeal.

The first thing that buyers will see is the outside of your house. Does the outside make them want to see the inside? A well kept yard, an inviting porch, a clean driveway all increase the likelihood that buyers will want to see more, so start here. Clean up the lawn and the driveway. Touch up or repaint the exterior. Add a brass kick plate and brass numbers on your door. Clean gutters and keep the porches swept and inviting. Add a couple pots of geraniums.Showing that the exterior of your home is well-kept will lead buyers to the assumption that the home is well-kept in general.

2. Clean and de-clutter

Do a deep clean or hire a professional cleaning crew to make sure everything looks its best. Keep carpets vacuumed and beds made. Make the rooms look larger by removing clutter and large furniture. Get a POD or storage unit. The money you spend will be well spent.

Packed closets and cabinets also lead others to believe there is inadequate storage, so clean those out, too. Make sure to keep all the dishes away, hang clothes neatly in closets, make sure all light bulbs work, and towels in the bathroom and kitchen need to be clean and folded neatly.

Help buyers imagine their own things in your home by storing personal items such as photos and knick-knacks.

3. Updates do not have to be expensive.

 This includes fresh paint, replacing outdated appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. If its not in your budget to replace, you can add new hardware on cabinets and sinks. If you can, replace outdated flooring or stained carpeting or at least have them professionally cleaned. Add some new light fixtures, they dont have to be expensive to look nice and updated.

Interior paint is one of the easiest ways to freshen up your home and increase its value. And, while that dramatic purple wall in the dining room may have matched your chairs, it may be hard for buyers to imagine with their furnishings. Use light, neutral colors that make the rooms look bright and large and that match any decor. White trim and a tan wall are the hottest looks going these days.

4. Hire a home inspector.

Its very likely that a buyer will hire one anyway after theyve made an offer, so beinghonest about your homes condition will help you avoid any surprises or complications with the contract and closing later. And, although you dont have to make any non-essential repairs, you may discover essential ones of which you may be unaware. It is cheaper to have them repaired by yourself or a handyman, than expensive contractors. This is for small items not major repairs. Always use lic. contractors, for roofs, electrical and plumbing repairs. Better to not have any surprizes.

5. Interview several real estate agents and ask them about their marketing plan for your home.

After you've done all the work to get it ready to list, an aggressive marketing plan will ensure that as many buyers as possible see it.

Most agents will list the home in the Multiple Listing Service database, on their website and on their company website. Ask them about also putting it on other top ranked real estate sites. Also, according to the National Association of REALTORS, most buyers move within 11 miles of their previous residence so ask about local advertising as well. Make sure they use the dozens of popular web sites available to showcase your property.

The sign in your yard should include the agents information. Many add a brochure box, but its difficult to keep it full. Ask about adding a text code that leads buyers to a mobile site for your home that shows more information and photos, so the information is always readily available to interested buyers.

If Possible Use a "Certified Residenta Specialist" a designated agent. You will find them much more knowledgeable about marketing and the market. Hiring a CRS designated agent is like hiring an agent with a masters in real Estate. It shows they value continuing Real Estate education in a constantly changing market.

Go to CRS.Com to find one in a city near you.

Call a professional Realtortoday.