You can improve the market-ability of your home by following a few simple pointers before placing your home on the market.  First, you only get one chance to make a first impression so you will want to pretend for a moment that you are a potential buyer.  Do a “walk-thru” of your home using “buyer’s eyes”.  Start at your driveway and walk up to your home and walk through it looking closely at details that a potential buyer will notice about your home.  Taking the time to correct these small details will be worth your while.

Exterior

“Curb-Appeal” goes a long way in improving the first impression your home will make to potential buyers.  Make sure your lawn and landscaping look their best.  Keep your lawn trimmed and remove garden hoses and tools from the yard.  Repair any broken tiles in the walkway and keep it clear of lawn debris.  Take a close look at your flowerbeds.  Do they need fresh mulch?  Consider power washing the exterior of your home and if it needs it maybe even a new coat of paint.  Be sure that your front door is clean and fresh.  As an extra touch you may even consider a brass doorknocker or seasonal door decoration.

Interior

You will want your home to be inviting.  You can achieve this by lighting a scented candle or two.  For evening showings turn on all the lights in the house to create a welcoming glow.  Fresh flowers are a nice touch too.  Make sure that the interior is tidy and uncluttered.  If the walls need it, touch up with fresh paint.

The kitchen should be immaculate.  Potential buyers will especially notice the condition of the stove and oven.  Make sure these are clean.  Keep counter tops free of clutter to help create an open feel.  Appliances should be in good working order.

Like the kitchen, the bathrooms will need to be immaculate.  Repair caulking and grouting.  Remove rust stains.  Make sure tiles and porcelain are free from soap film.  Forgetting these details can suggest neglect to a potential buyer.  A nice extra touch is a lighted scented candle or pot pourri.

The idea is to clean, repair, and de-clutter without redecorating.  A little elbow grease will go a long way and prospects are likely to notice these details if they are neglected.  By taking care of these details beforehand your home will be warm, welcoming, attractive and it will be obvious to the buyer that it has been well maintained.