[beth]

We are in the process of selling our house and our agent gave us some really great tips for getting a quicker sale. Most of them are obvious, but they really helped:
1. Clear out all clutter from your house. (Find someone to let you stash your stuff for a while!)
2. First impressions count: Make sure the entrance is attractive and spotless.
3. Cut flowers in the living areas look great.
4. A coffee-maker or bread-maker making nice smells is very appealing to the would-be buyer.
5. A quick coat of paint to battered architraves will be worth the effort.
6. If you have a garden, keep lawns and edges neat.
7. Have soft, relaxing music playing to help prospective buyers relax and feel at home and not like they are intruding.

Does anyone else have any suggestions that have worked for them?

[HappyWife]

Great tips. I work part-time for a realtor, and some other goodies are:
1) keep your kitchen cabinets neat...chances are, someone will be looking inside to guage sheving, drawers, etc. Also, make sure your drawers run smoothly, and replace the handles if they are grungy or worn.
2)Move pet supplies (litter boxes!) outside during showings. Even if your pet is neat, seeing a litter box can raise suspicions of stinky carpets and dander.
3)Make sure your furnace and/or air conditioner are ready to be turned on, even if the weather isn't just right for it...buyers like to know these things work.
4)Limit the number of personal momentos you have on display; while it's great for a house to look lived in rather than empty and impersonal, it's also important that potential buyers are able to envisions themselves and their families in the space rather than being overwhelmed by your stuff.

Buying season winds down as we approach Christmas, so do what you can now! Does anyone else have suggestions? What's the best tip you've heard, either before or after you've sold your house?

[beth]

My aunt always used to check out the neighbors before she made a final decision on buying a house. She always maintained that a good neighbor was even better than a good friend, because you had to live with them up to a point. As a kid I just thought she was silly, but having lived in several places now as an adult, it sure was much more pleasant when the neighbors were friendly!

[mcmama]

These are great ideas. The clutter thing is really hard for many people. It's your stuff, you're gonna move, so box it up!

[markbarnes19]

If you are not using an agent to help you, be sure to do a lot of the things that they do to make open houses run smoothly. Have all of the proper paperwork, for example. When people come in, you want to supply them with a neatly-done point-of-sale flyer that explains everything your home offers. Not just rooms and square footage. You need to list all of the important amenities. Don't forget to list the average utility costs, and say something about the schools, assuming they are a good selling point. All of these things will pique people's interest.

[Juliensiss]

Weather is is gray and cloudy or 100 % sunshine.....if it ha light bulb in it it must be turned on. It makes not so clean look cleaner and says "hey I have nothing to hide." : as well as making it appear brighter and larger. Walk through your house and try it. Lights on and off. You will be amazed at how different it makes you feel.