8 Foolproof Tips to Help Sell Your Home

 Curb appeal is the first thing a potential buyer sees and is the last thing you want to give up! Keep your yard trimmed, green, neat and clean. Replace any dead plants with new ones. Buyers like to see the landscaping done professionally with colorful flowers and accessories.  

A buyer can show up anytime, so keep your house in tip-top shape. Make your chores and daily tasks a priority, even if it's just cleaning the dishwasher, vacuuming the floors or replacing the toilet paper in the bathroom. Take a few minutes to ensure every room is free of clutter and maintain proper hygiene.  

Updating your kitchen can put your home into the buyers' pocket! Spruce up the kitchen flooring, cabinets and counters and upgrade to stainless steel appliances. A fresh coat of neutral paint on the walls and a beautiful backsplash will compliment your kitchen's new look.  

A house that shows signs of your personality can be a deal breaker for some buyers. Clean out the toys, cards, books and other distracting items when they visit. Make sure to take the focus off any mementos, family pictures or other items that might be sentimental and rearrange the furniture just enough to make it feel open and spacious. Sure, it might be tempting to stage your house with your belongings, knick-knacks and items you want to keep. However, for the new eyes of a potential buyer, it looks more like clutter. Do your best to move all personal items and clothes out of sight, so there's room for buyers to imagine what the house will look like with their belongings in it.  

Some buyers aren't fond of animals, and you don't want to scare them away! If you have a cat or a dog, give your little furry friend the day off by taking them to the park during showings. Or, send your pets to daycare or with a close friend or family member and let them stay there for the day.  

Make an appointment with a professional videographer or photographer who can capture all angles of your home. Regarding real estate photos, candid shots of what your home has to offer are key. They're easily accessible online, giving buyers a real sense of what they can expect.  

You probably already put a fresh coat of paint on your walls, but most people don't think about the light throughout their house. Highlight the natural lighting by opening up curtains and blinds. Make it as bright and cheerful as possible. Install new light fixtures to give it a fresh modern look.  

While it's important to list at the market price, asking for less than what you want is not easy. However, a fair price could generate a lot of interest in your home and still be a win for you. Few sellers are willing to give lowball offers. But if you can, do it in a way that reflects the market value.