I don't want to do anything to my house before I list-I think it looks just fine the way it is.

OK-so sellers say this a lot. Firstly, before the house is listed on the open market-the seller must do several things. It is imperative that the house be "staged" enough to appeal to the largest market possible. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean that you need a true"professional staging" done, and buy all new furniture etc. Most of the time it includes a few really important steps.

Now-before I list a house I go through the house with my clients and they take note. It is nearly impossible to critique your own home, you live there, and everyone lives in a similar fashion, not realizing that when a buyer goes through the house-they see everything differently, even if they have the same habits.

SO-here is the list-take note!

#1-Remove clutter-all of it. I know everyone hears this over and over-but what this means is pack and store(preferrably in a storage unit) everything that is not required for the basic features of each room, and a few key pieces of decor-not the enitre Hummel collection.

#2-Deoderize everything-even if you do not smoke or have pets, and especially if you do. Use Febreeze-open windows for a full day, have the carpets steam cleaned, and buy really good room deoderizers for showings-plug ins for outlets in every room. Get a neutral fragrance-or something nice and not too strong. For example vanilla scents seem to go over well with buyers-or berries, they seem to like that as well. Stay away from pine scents, musky scents, jasmine etc.

#3-Clean like you have never cleaned before. Behind everything, on top of everything. Look up! Get any little cobwebs, and make sure you take down all ceiling fans, and vents(from bathrooms etc.) and clean those too! The bathroom fan grates are often overlooked. Move out the stove and fridge and clean behind and under them.

#4-Paint any room that has not been painted in the last 5 or 6 years. If there is any wallpaper in any rooms-get rid of it-or paint over it. Even if you hire a professional to paint-the return-or speed of your sale will be helped immensely. Keep to neutral colours-if you are painting several rooms-then use colous from the same paint pallet, this works well.

#5-Cover any furniture that is outdated-meaning over 20 years old-unless it is a beautiful antique-with either easy fit slipcovers, or brand new flat bedsheets in a neutral colour.

#6-Buy some trendy and interesting accessories-don't spend much, but new throw cusions are good(and help deoderize the home too), a print for the wall, clean up to date pieces, that you can enjoy in your new home!

#7-Rearrange furniture to maximize space. Placing furniture in practical settings so rooms look larger is really important. I know you like the like up of the easy chair, then the love seat, and then the coffee table, and then an end table for every chair-rearranging is only for a short while, until the house is sold!

I hope this has been helpful-it is really a competitive market, and buyers want the very best for their money. More tips will come later, I don't want to overwhelm anyone!

I help my clients as much as I can to get the above list done. I market the property fervently, so all I ask is that the product be in order. Every showing is important, every one counts-you only need one buyer for the house.

Talk soon! Katherine