There are three main areas where you should focus the majority of your time and energy when preparing your home for sale: its interior, its exterior and your budget - the amount of money you should spend, based on your anticipated selling price.

Inside the Interior

Perception is reality. This old axiom is especially true in the realm of buying and selling real estate. People who come to check out your home and consider making it their own will base much of their decision on how the home looks to the naked eye. Potential buyers are more at ease when purchasing a home that appears well-maintained, because if these areas are well-cared for, it stands to reason that the areas they are unable to see are in the same or better condition.

Here are some simple tips to make your home as aesthetically pleasing as possible:

  • Clean each and every room from floor to ceiling, clearing away all clutter.
  • Remove as many items as possible from countertops, closets and the attic.
  • Check the basement and attic for leaks, dampness and cracks, repairing as necessary.
  • Check for damage to windowpanes, walls, wallpaper, plaster, paint moldings, tiles and woodwork, and repair where needed.
  • Inspect plumbing, heating and cooling systems, repairing dripping faucets and showerheads along the way.

Exterior

The positive or negative perception people have of your home's exterior, which generally includes things like landscaping, patios and gardens, along with the actual exterior "skin" of the house, is often referred to as its ‘curb appeal’. It's what makes the all-important first impression on potential buyers, so follow these helpful hints to exterior excellence:

  • Mow, water and edge your yard on a regular basis.
  • The same thing goes for your hedges, flowerbeds and trees.
  • Inspect your home's exterior for obvious flaws in the paint, siding, foundation, doors and windows.
  • Align and clear gutters.
  • Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles, siding and caulking.
  • Store RVs or old vehicles somewhere out of your home's ‘curb appeal’ zone.

Budget

Last, but certainly not least, is deciding how much to spend on polishing up your home for its time in the spotlight. It's an unfortunate that it's nearly impossible to predict whether the money spent will increase the value and subsequent selling price of your home, or decrease your profit margin at closing time because you didn't get the value you expected out of the expenditure.

The prudent thing to do here is talk to your real estate agent. They can help you determine how to make your home as irresistible as possible for as little out-of-pocket costs as possible. Market conditions are currently changing monthly, and they will know just how to get the biggest ‘bang for your buck’.