If you are getting ready to sell your home and are wondering what to do to get it ready to sell, go preview your competition. Visit open houses in the neighborhood and check out some homes on Realtor.com - how does your home compare to those?

You’ll probably notice that the homes that are selling quickly have been updated, staged and cleaned immaculately. Curb appeal makes a good first impression and adds a lot of value to your home. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, it doesn’t take much to plant some begonias and spread mulch in your flower beds. You’ll also want to power wash your front porch, wash windows and make your exterior entrance fresh and inviting. If the paint on your front door is weathered, paint it. Add a bistro table and a pot of colorful flowers. Go to the Dollar Store and purchase a new welcome mat.

Inside your home, clean, clean - then clean some more. Change air filters, add bright light bulbs, clean baseboards and window sills, remove bulky rugs and heavy drapes. As you go from room to room, ask yourself what changes will help the space appear light and bright?

De-clutter and donate. LESS furnishings and accessories in your home will make your rooms appear larger and more functional. You are going to take all those knick-knacks to your next home, so go ahead and box them up now. Whether you are down-sizing or not, you need to remove half of what you have in your clothes closets and even food pantry - otherwise, prospective Buyers will think there’s not enough room for THEIR things to fit.

Home Sellers - preview your competition

So when you visit houses for sale in your neighborhood, what do you notice that makes your competition look attractive? Snap photos or jot down ideas that you think will work in your home.

If competing homes have significant updates that you can’t afford, you are going to have to stick to the basics and your budget. A fresh coat of paint and a lot of elbow grease inside and outside of your home will go a long way to making your home desirable to prospective buyers.

For more home selling tips and a personalized plan of how my team would prepare and market your home for sale, give me a call! 918-852-5036

Content written and published by Lori Cain.

Copyright 2011 Lori Cain All Rights Reserved - Originally Posted at: Midtown Tulsa Real Estate - Lori Cain