We have received questions from many concerned sellers on what is required of them when preparing their home for prospective buyers.  Due to the current economy we are seeing a large increase in the number of short sale homes available for sale.   Sellers in a short sale situation are concerned about the costs to prepare their home for sale so that it doesn’t sit on the market for a long time.  They also ask what needs to be done in order to fix their home up for sale for the least amount of money.

Here are a few inexpensive tips that will help you stage and sell your home more quickly:

• Wipe down all of the walls and outlets of dirty fingerprints
• Shampoo Carpeting
• Wash the Windows and Screens
• Vacuum and Dust often
• Remove all books from bookcases
• Pack up the knickknacks
• Clean off everything on kitchen counters
• Put items used daily in a small box that can be stored away when not in use
• Re-Organize Closets and Pantry
• Make Minor Repairs – Touch up any holes, scratches or damage to the walls and if you have touch up paint laying around, touch up these areas
• Keep Lawns Mown and Watered
• Trim Shrubs & Plant Colorful Flowers
• Air out House of Musty or Pet Odors
• De-Personalize – Pack up personal photos and heirlooms.  Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts and you want them to see the home.
• De-Clutter – If you don’t need it, sell it, donate it or throw it away
• Get a head start on packing, you will eventually need to do it anyway