Make Your Home Appealing in Today's Market

We've all heard that the price has to be right for your home to sell, but did you know that today's discriminating buyer wants an up-to-date look as well? With so many homes on the market to choose from your home needs to look and operate at its best. Read below to find out how.

Here is a list of items to check or change around your home to make sure your home shows at its very best:

• Test all doors and cabinets to make sure the hardware works and is sturdy. Replace any mismatched cabinet hardware, or update hardware for an inexpensive new look.
• Paint walls, trim, and ceilings for a fresh look and feel. Keep adjoining rooms in the same color hue to make your home look larger. Hire professionals to paint tough jobs, like windows.
• Buy inexpensive slip covers in neutral colors to cover mis-matched furniture.
• Organize your"stuff"with wicker baskets or metal boxes.
• Place no more than three items on top of counters, tables, and dressers.
• Remove wallpaper borders, they're out! Remove wallpaper on walls if it's more than 3 years old and paint a neutral color.
• Make sure there is lighting in every room for evening showings. Dimmer switches can set the right mood.
• Wax and polish hardware floors and clean carpets. Clean every surface until it shines! If your windows are not new and haven't been cleaned in 2 years hire a professional to clean inside and outside.
• If you're replacing carpeting purchase the best quality carpet pad. Even if the carpet is not expensive it will seem like it is with a high quality pad.
• Heavy drapes are not in fashion. If you have them, replace them with lighter, airier drapes that let the light into your room.
• Organize closets, cupboards and drawers. Use closet organizers to maximize storage and make sure that you can see the back of your closets and cupboards. Clean out and store if you have to. Don't forget closet lighting. A nice, inexpensive ceiling fixture is better than a light bulb.
• Check out the basement: if it's dark, dirty, and musty clean it up, clean it out, and paint it, including the floors. Don't forget to clean the washer and dryer and the laundry tub.
• Stand in front of your house to check curb appeal. Trim overgrown shrubs. Keep the lawn mowed and edged. Throw in a little color with some seasonal flowers. If you love yard ornaments take them up and save them for your new home.
• Paint and refresh outside lights, flagpoles, mailboxes, window boxes, fences, and play equipment.
• Replace any trip hazards, such as, cracked concrete patios and steps to eliminate falls during showings.
• Replace dirty, rusty, or ripped screens on doors and porches.
• Make sure your pets are mobile. When potential buyers view your home barking dogs and overly friendly cats will leave a less than stellar impression. Confine them out of sight or remove them from the premises during showings.

If you following these helpful ideas you can make your home the most appealing purchase in your neighborhood. Then, price it right for your market and you'll have it sold in no time!