In readying your house for sale, consider:

• What You Should Spend
• The Exterior "Curb Appeal"
• Preparing the Interior

In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Your REALTORŪ, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood, can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.

The Exterior "Curb Appeal"

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal.

Enhance your home’s exterior and curb appeal by:

• Keeping the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly
• Trimming hedges, weeding lawns and flowerbeds, and pruning trees regularly
• Checking the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling
• Inspecting doors and windows for peeling paint
• Cleaning and aligning gutters
• Inspecting and cleaning the chimney
• Repairing and replacing loose or damaged roof shingles
• Repairing and repainting loose siding and caulking
• Keeping walks neatly cleared of the elements of weather (snow, ice, leaves, etc.)
• Considering adding some pretty flowers or plants (weather permitting), perhaps in pots, near your front entrance
• Re-sealing an asphalt driveway
• Keeping your garage door closed
• Storing in-need-of-repair vehicles elsewhere while the house is on the market
• Applying a fresh coat of paint to the front door

Preparing the Interior

Enhance your home’s interior by:

• Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter
  • This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
• Hiring a professional cleaning service once every few weeks while the house is on the market 
  • This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.
• Removing the less frequently used from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting 
  • Since you're anticipating a move anyway, holding a garage sale at this point might be a great idea.
• If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled, or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige
  • The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.
• Checking for cracks, leaks, and signs of dampness in the attic and basement
• Repairing cracks, holes, or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles
• Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork
• Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems
• Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads
• Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way
• Sprucing up a kitchen by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint