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Prepare to Sell

Preparing your home for sale is closely connected to setting a sales price. The higher the price you want for your home, or the faster you want to sell, the more you should do to prepare your home. If you're working with an agent, expect him or her to do a pre-sale walk-through and make suggestions; this can be helpful in deciding how much you want to do.

Budget enough time and resources for improvements. Keep it simple so that you can keep it up, especially if it's likely your home will be on the market for a number of weeks. Use a checklist to keep track of what you need to do.

Boost Your Sale Proceeds
To get the best possible price for your home, consider the following:

Must Do Might Do Don't Bother Doing
Keep it clean: If nothing else, a clean home is essential. Make sure surfaces sparkle and clutter is at a bare minimum. Store your belongings: Put personal belongings into clearly labeled boxes, and store them neatly on-site or in an off-site storage facility. Install shelves or closet organizers: Now isn't the time to invest in systems that will stay with the house unless they will significantly improve its marketability. Consult your agent.
Freshen a room's decor: If a prominent room shows signs of wear or is very outdated, consider a coat of paint or new floor coverings (in that room only). Refinish wood floors: If you have wood floors under old carpeting, you may want to pull up the rug and refinish the floor in one room, to show buyers the quality of the floors. Paint and carpet entire house: This is a major project that may not result in a significantly higher price. Avoid it unless it's absolutely necessary.
Make necessary repairs: Make sure outlets work, toilets flush, and windows and doors open and shut smoothly. All heating, air conditioning, and other home systems should work, too. Do extra maintenance: If your deck needs re-staining or you haven't cleaned your gutters recently, consider doing such projects now to give your property a well-cared-for appearance. Make major improvements: Now is not the time to put on a deck or build a fence. While these projects can add value, you are not likely to boost your home's value enough to justify the expense at this time.
Increase curb appeal: Tidy up landscaping, plant fresh flowers, and otherwise make your home look as inviting as possible to the drive-by buyer. Intensify your entryway: Paint your front door and put on new hardware, or replace it altogether if it is old. Buy a new welcome mat. Put in a new driveway or sidewalk: Unless these items are crumbling and will significantly lower your curb appeal, this is a major investment that probably won't pay off.