Comments on: How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

on 1/16/2006 I am a Realtor in Louisville, KY. Some little things you should do before putting your home on the market:

1. Depersonalize, take down all the little things that say this is my house. The buyers must be able to walk into a home and see themselves as living there. Pictures, items on the fridge like magnets and drawings the kids have done - pack them away. Remember. you are going to move anyway.

2. Declutter, make your house as empty as possible. Your square footage will appear larger. Empty out as much from the closets, bookshelves, garage and don't forget the kid's rooms. Store it off site if you can.

3. Neutralize the colors! Paint every room the same neutral color. If you are re-carpeting do the same thing, one neutral color throughout.

4. Deodorize, you probably don't smell it, since you are desensitized to it. Animals are the biggies here. Please don't try to cover it up with candles.

5. Have an unbiased person come in and look around and make a list for you of all the things that need repaired or taken care of. We tend not to see these little annoyances after a while.

I hope these little tips help, I hear these over and over again from buyers and previewing Realtors in the business. Good luck.

on 11/22/2005 Before showing the house, bake bread or cookies to give the homey feeling.

on 11/22/2005 We sold four residences and spent a lot of time and energy making them perfect. The quickest sale was before we even got the house "ready" for sale - the buyer wanted that particular house in that particular area.