After price, the condition of your home is the single biggest factor determining how fast—and for how much—you get for your home.
 
REALTORS® repeatedly find that people cannot visualize the potential of a home. They have to see it. That means that how your home shows now are how people see themselves in it. They can’t see past the chips, leaks, clutter, and stains—in fact, they tend to focus even more on those things. 

Luckily, you can dramatically improve how your home sells with a few quick steps:
 
Clean – It is critical that your home is clean inside and out. It matters. A lot.

De-clutter – Give it away, throw it away or store it away, but get it out of your house.  That includes de-cluttering closets, cupboards, closets, basements, and garages. A de-cluttered home looks more inviting, spacious and buyers can more easily imagine themselves living in your home.

Make minor repairs – Chipped paint, cracked tiles, squeaky hinges, leaky faucets – Fix everything you can.  Don’t forget to also make sure you take care of any outside repairs as that is the first impression of your home.  First impressions really count.

Consider staging – According to the National Association of REALTORS®, staged homes sell 49% faster, and for 7-11% more money.  Home staging makes your home feel bigger and also helps highlight the best features of your home.

Clean again – Your home needs to be impeccably clean while you are trying to sell home.  Really. It’s that important.  It should also smell inviting and fresh.
 
Sound overwhelming? You don’t need to do it overnight. Your agent can point you to someone who can help, or you can break it down into just one small task a day. Think of it this way: everything you remove from the house, clean, or repair puts money in your pocket. You’re getting paid to do it!