Staging Your Home For Sale - Is It Worth The Investment?
Here are Ten Secrets to Home Selling:

1. Freshen up the home by painting walls a light, neutral color, such as antique white.
2. Lighter colors appeal to a wider range of buyers and make each room look larger.
3. Take a close look at the floor coverings in each room. If you have hardwood floors under the carpet, you will always make money by removing it, even if the floor is not in perfect condition.
4. Allow as much light as possible to enter the room. Open up or remove all draperies, blinds, shades or other window coverings.
5. Removing the clutter of everyday life - all utilitarian items, stacks of paperworks, toiletries, kitchen utensils, electronic equipment and television sets.
6. Remove furniture from each room that does not go with the decor, such as items that stand out too much, and items that are worn or of an unappealing color.
7. Place the remaining room furnishings in a way that makes best use of the character of the space. A room should be balanced so that people do not focus on one particular piece of furniture.
8. Now that you've removed the clutter from your home, adding some nice but inexpensive accessories will greatly elevate the perceived value of the home.
9. Clean, clean, clean! Every crevice within the home should be spotless and gleaming. Even your normal weekly cleaning will not come close to the quality of clean you need.
10. You can't over spend on fresh plants and orchids, elaborate floral arrangements and landscape plants. All these provide a strong addition to the ambience you want to create.
11. Go on vacation! The houses that sell for much higher prices are homes that do not have the slightly disheveled look which comes with showering in the morning and cooking dinner in the evening. Being gone also will lower your level of stress and make the house easier to sell. Think of it this way: Your vacation will actually make you MONEY!

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Fully preparing your home for sale can make a considerable difference in the time it takes to sell it. You can help eliminate buyer objections before they arise by making necessary repairs and improvements, some of which are suggested below.

Outdoors Spruce up your garden and lawn; trim shrubbery and replace dead plants. Yard and patio should be neat; outdoor furniture should be clean and in good shape. Clean or paint your front door - remember first impressions last the longest! Manicure your front yard; make sure your driveway and entryway are free of clutter.    Exterior Check that house numbers, mailbox, and exterior lighting are all in good condition. Touch up with fresh paint as needed. Inspect chimney for cracks or earthquake damage. Repair loose trim, drain pipes, and fencing. Clean stains and window screens.    Garage Remove clutter and tidy up the shelves. Clean the floor.    Living Areas Apply fresh paint as needed... think about brightening your interiors with neutral-toned paint. Clean draperies and carpets. Replace burnt out light bulbs. Clean the fireplace and remove smoke stains from the wall and mantle.

Kitchen Sinks, appliances, and counter tops should sparkle; remove any clutter. Wax the floor. Clean the oven, range, and other appliances. Clean tile and grout; replace if necessary.    Bathrooms Clean mirrors, glass, chrome, and porcelain surfaces. Replace shower curtain if necessary. Fix any faucet drips or leaks. Clean grout and caulking; replace if necessary.    Closets Doors and drawers should open and close easily. Remove clutter; tidy up shelves and racks. Shoes and clothes should be neatly arranged.    Overall Check the basics around the house. It takes just a minute to check all doors, windows and cabinets to make sure they don't stick, squeak or are too loose. Clean your furnace and water heater so buyers know they are looking at a house that has been well maintained.