When selling any home, first impressions are very important along with curb appeal. Most people see a photo of your home on the internet before seeing it in person. The last thing you want is the home to look different in person than it does in a photo. Many times have I shown homes to people and the first thing they say when they see the home is "this looks nothing like the pictures". I've yet to sell a home to someone when they say that.

The Outside

The first thing that comes to mind when keeping the photos and reality of your home the same is the landscaping. Weeds have a tendency to keep hidden very easily in photos but not in person. If your landscaping needs tending too, tend to it before you start showing your home to potential buyers. Even if you don't have flowers or bushes in the flower beds, plain dirt will look more appealing than a bunch of weeds. Bark dust is pretty cheap and $75 worth of it in a few places around the entry way could mean the sale of your home. Little things mean a lot to some people, like fragrances. In the spring and summer go buy fragrant flowers or roses and plant them or put them in pots by the front door. While the Agent is fumbling with the lock box to get the key out to open the door it leaves a few seconds for the interested home buyer to look around and experience what could be their home with the aroma of good smells.

Also, if your home is dirty on the outside and could use cleaning, it would be good to clean it. Sometimes dirty paint can be difficult to get clean so be careful when it comes to getting too creative when cleaning it. What I mean is with the whole power washer thing. I've seen people rent power washers with the intent to wash off the dirt only to peel off the paint and find a bigger mess to fix. Be sure to set the power washer to a low setting and test it on something first besides the house. Even if you aren't able to get the all of the dirt off the outside you will be surprised how much actually does come off and how much better it will appear.

Green moss is another big one for the outside of your house, especially here in the northwest. It seems to attract itself mostly to the gutters and areas where the siding comes into close contact with the roof, mainly on the south side of your home. Walkways and retaining walls and even decorative stone can suddenly be covered with the stuff that you don't really even notice. A buyer will.

Just remember, a buyer will see things you don't. You come and go everyday and so things become unnoticed over time. I've had several friends show up at my house and point out something I hadn't noticed in months. The only problem is that buyers are even more meticulous than a noticing friend or family member. Take a close look at everything and/or invite a good friend over that is honest with you.

The Inside

Once again, first impressions are lasting impressions. Buyers put a lot of emphasis on what they see right when they walk in the door. Not only because it's the first thing they see but it's the first thing their family and friends will see too once they are living there. I always suggest fragrance candles, lot's of lighting and soft music.

If you know someone is coming to view your home turn on a lot of lights so the buyer can see your home. When I'm showing a home and me and my buyer turn a corner to see a dark hallway it is really uncomfortable to walk down it. It's not our house and who knows what's down there! If all the lights are on so we can see everything, it makes it much more comfortable and less like something is trying to be hidden.

Cleanliness

Make sure everything is clean! Get the carpets cleaned if needed. This is an area that is very easy to overlook, especially stairs. Stairways get dirty slowly over time and until they are cleaned it is easy for them to make you think they are fine.

Clean the bathrooms in all those areas that you very seldom do. This usually means getting on all fours, or at least someone getting on all fours with a brush or rag. Take clean rags and clean all the faucets. Get those water stains off the chrome and make everything look shiny.

Dust everything! Wall hangings, decorative glass, etc. A buyer takes pride in a home that the seller takes pride in themselves. How well organized and clean your belongings are actually means something to people who are looking at your home.

Organize the kitchen cabinets, pantry and other closets. Buyers aren't nosey, they just want to see how big the pantry is as well as closets in the rooms. If a buyer opens the entry closet door to see how big it is and everything falls out on them, they just might leave from the embarassement and never give your house a second thought.

These are just basic suggestions for preparing a home to be sold. The condition of every home is different and so it is not possible to say exactly what needs to be done until I see the home personally.