It's a proven fact, a clean house sells faster than messy or dirty home.

• Have your carpets professionally cleaned.
• Keep hardwood, linoleum, and tile floors shiny.
• Clean window draperies and blinds, as well as the windows themselves.
• Clean all surfaces in bathrooms and set out clean towels.
• Remove all garbage, pick up laundry, ensure beds are made and surfaces dusted.
• Streamline your décor by removing excessive knick-knacks and creating a cleaner look.
• De-clutter!
• Organize closets, prospective buyers are sure to peek inside.

If you have pets, remove them from the house during showings. Use a deodorizer to neutralize any pet odor. Create a pleasant smell by using essential oils, fresh flowers, or candles. You can even do some baking before a showing. The smell of home baking is appealing to almost everyone.

Styles change with time. If possible, visit some showhomes in your area to get some ideas on how to prepare your house for showing. Granted these houses are new, but at least you will get an idea of the current styles and trends.

Remember that you want to show your home in a way that will appeal to a variety of people. This is not the time to display your unique design ideas. Keep it simple. Display fresh flowers. Put out your best linens. Dispose of or conceal old or out of style furnishings. Less is more.

You may also want to use the services of a Home Stager. We can assist you with a list of professionals in this area.

Think detail here.light bulbs, switches, closet doors, loose handles, tricky locks, broken garage doors, etc. Fix all these minor items to present your home in the best working order possible.

Major repairs must be undertaken or the problems disclosed to your realtor