When selling your home you need to think of your house as a marketable commodity property real estate. Your goal is to get others to see it as their potential home, not yours.

The first step in getting your home ready to sell is to
"de-personalize" it. The reason you want to "de-personalize" your home is you want buyers to view it as their potential home.

Make your house "Show like a model".

To do this follow these simple steps to help your house sell faster:

• Visit several models of subdivisions and see how they show. They "Show like a model"
  
  
• Rent a storage locker to store items you do not regularly use anymore. Pack them in boxes before storing. This will also making packing and moving easier once you sell your house
  
  
• Put away family photos, sports trophies, collectible items, knickknacks, and souvenirs.
  
  
• Remove "clutter" to prepare your house for sale.
  Hide kitchen gadgets such as toasters, blenders, and can openers.
  
  
• Clean out kitchen and bathroom drawers & cabinets.
  Pay special attention to "junk drawers" and under the sink cabinets.
  
  
• Organize and keep clean the kitchen pantry.
  
  
• Clean laundry room, don't leave clothes piled up!
  
  
• Remove clutter from closets especially bedroom closets. Remember, if you are putting your house for sale in the summer you probably wont' need winter clothes. Place them in a box in storage.
  
  
• Organize and remove clutter from your garage & basement.
  
  
• Have a garage sale or donate items to your local neighborhood center.
  
  
• Repair any broken fixtures. Lights, wall plates, shower doors, faucets, and door knobs. These are easy items to replace and inexpensive.
  
  
• Repair leaky faucets.
  
  
• If you are painting to prepare your house for sale use colors that are general. White or off-white.
  
  
• Paint outdated colors
  
  
• Touch-up stained walls, trim, and doors.
  
  
• Clean the carpets and flooring.
  
  
• Wash windows, inside and out. Make sure all windows open easily. Lubricate them if necessary.
  
  
• Dust window treatments. Make sure they open and close properly.
  
  
• Keep odors at a minimum. If you smoke indoors start smoking outdoors. Treat pet odors regularly, clean litter boxes, use carpet fresheners.
  
  
• Keep the outside appearance up! Maintain your yard, trim bushes and trees, rake leaves. A freshly trimmed yard makes the house look newer.
  
  
• Touch up exterior paint.
  
  
• Remove exterior clutter. Keep your yard tidy. If you have kids, keep the toys to a minimum.
  
  
• The front entrance way is one of the most important areas. It is the first thing a potential buyer sees when entering your home.  Make sure the front doors locks work, the front door is well maintained.  Paint it if necessary. Remove any items, name plates, statues, personalized door mats, etc..
  
  
• Ensure your garage door works and is in good condition. Paint it if necessary.
  
  
• Make sure your mailbox is erect and in good condition.
  
  
• Keep your pool clean and make sure the color is clear.
  
  
• Replace any burnt out light bulbs inside and out. A brightly lit house shows well!
  
  

Remember the first impression of your house is the most important. Do not do anything expensive, such as remodeling. If possible, use savings to pay for any repairs and improvements.  Do not charge up credit cards or obtain new loans. Remember that part of selling a house is also preparing to buy your next home.