Presentation is Everything!

In a competitive market with more inventory than we've seen in some time, presentation is everything! By eliminating points a potential buyer may find fault with and bringing out the positive amenities, you are more likely to sell your home and get the price you want. Here are just a few tips that further your efforts:

* Let There Be Light. Buy some 100-watt bulbs to brighten rooms, and open curtains or blinds to let light in. Unless a window faces a brick wall or some type of eyesore, open the drapes!

* Garage, Not Garbage. Have a garage sale to clean out the clutter and make the garage more spacious. You're moving and probably need to start organizing anyway, so why wait until the last minute? Clean up oil spots in the garage or carport with a good cleanser to remove that "lived-in" appearance. The home may not be brand new, but it's new to a potential buyer.

* Make Scents. Get a nice potpourri air freshener, or keep some refrigerated cookie dough on hand to throw in the oven when a prospect is coming over. Make the house smell like a home.

* Paint-relief. Consider re-painting any areas that need to be touched up, especially the front door and entryway, and any appliances that are showing their age.

* Power Plants. Trim down any jungles outside, especially if they cover the house. Get rid of any half-dead houseplants. Water the lawns briefly before any visit, and keep the lawns mowed and edged.

* The Price is Right. Price may be a sensitive issue, but with increased inventories and declining home values in many neighborhoods, every shopper in a buyers' market is determined to get the best deal possible. Now is a good time to compare your house with others on the market in the same area, because the right price is the one thing that will sell your house faster than anything else.

* The World is Your Stage. Professional staging can help to showcase the best side of a home, create more interest, and get you top dollar. With increased inventories, staging could provide the competitive edge you need.

These tips were derived from 33 Ways to Sell Your Home Fast! and shared courtesy of James Ricks,  Bluewater Mortgage.  Thanks James!