The HGTV's Designed to Sell experts' list this as a top tip for getting a house sold. I couldn't agree more. Nothing is more disappointing than pulling up to a beautiful home, getting so excited to see the inside and walking through the door and feeling a hugh let down. 

My company Glastonbury Home Staging, recently bid on a bank-owned property in my neighborhood. It is a restored Victorian Colonial. I believe they are sometimes referred to as "painted ladies" because of the bold colors that were used historically.

A few years ago someone restored this lovely "old lady" and we all watched, delighted by the transformation. The person would had bought the place hired an expert to do the outside work. The new owner decided to take on the inside. Clearly he lacked the knowledge, resources, skill, and dare I say taste to pull this off, and consequently defaulted and went bankrupt.

When I went to see the place I was stunned at what I saw; sloppy, incomplete work, cheap materials, garrish fixtures, nothing worked anywhere. It was utterly sad. Such a waste of time, money, effort and done without permits to boot! Now the bank has to make things right with the town, and have only approved some painting. I did not get the bid. I wasn't surprised.

There will be an auction soon.  An extreme case I know, but I do see it to a lesser degree frequently. I think people tend to maintain their yards and landscaping and let the inside go.

Many neighborhoods have covenents dictating what you can and can not do outside.  So sellers please apply the same standards to the inside of your house, don't disappoint your potential buyers!!  If they've come as far as the front door, make it worth their trip!