12 Home Prep Tips for a Fast Sale

After living in a home for a few years it's natural to get accustomed to its small imperfections. However, prospective home buyers will not be accustomed to the imperfections and they can immediately judge an entire home on one of these seemingly minor issues. The following home fix-ups are simple, for the most part inexpensive, and instantly make your home more marketable. This can mean a faster home sale with a higher home selling price. It's an important first step so don't shoot yourself in the foot before you begin.

1. Mow your lawn and keep it mowed. In the same manner, keep shrubs and bushes neatly trimmed and flower beds free of weeds. Depending on the season you may need to rake leaves, shovel the sidewalks or any other clean up tasks that keep your yard in tip top shape. A well-maintained yard will encourage prospective home buyers to move onto the next step, walking through your home's front door.

2. Walk around the outside of your home to decide if it needs power-washed or a fresh coat of paint.

3. Clean around all your windows and doors, inside and out. Touch up any chipped/cracked paint. Repair any tears you find in the screens and if you happen to have a cracked window, we recommend replacing it. This is important because when it comes time to show your home you'll need to pull back the curtains, lift the shades and let the brightness in.

4. Your front door and entrance way should be in a picture perfect state. Test the doorbell and entrance lighting to verify they're in good working order.

5. When it comes to the home's interior, one of the most effective and relatively inexpensive improvements is to add a fresh coat of paint. We understand that your daughter's favorite color is bright pink, but when selling a home stick with neutral colors as much as possible. Of course, the decision is yours as to whether a paint job is needed at all, but don't underestimate the value of this one.

6. Shampoo the rugs, mop the floors, and dust. Potential home buyers will effortlessly spot stains in the rug and accumulated dust on the hardwood floors and shelving.

7. Thoroughly wash down walls, check for damaged wall corners and identify any wallpaper tears. Again, it's up to you to make the decision as to what needs remedied and what does not.

8. Verify that all doorknobs are secured and door hinges don't squeak.

9. Declutter! The neater your home, the more spacious and appealing your home will appear to a prospective home buyer. If your home is overloaded with furniture, it may be beneficial to borrow space in a friend's garage or rent a storage unit. Most real estate agents would encourage a home seller to get as much out as possible. Again, less stuff gives the impression of more living space.

10. Kitchens sell a home. Get the grease off the stove and walls, wipe down all the cabinet doors, and make sure the appliances are in good working order and cleaned off with a spit shine appearance. As a final touch to address any strange odors, it never hurts to run a lemon through the garbage disposal.

11. Make sure that all bathrooms in the home are spotless! People tend to notice the condition of the bathrooms and every care should be taken to ensure they remain fresh, clean, and sanitary. Remember to fix any leaky faucets and if necessary re-caulk around the tiles and back splash. Also make sure the toilets don't leak or continue to run after flushing.

12. Fill your home with nice furniture and other accessories that present your home in a classy light. No need to buy new furniture, perhaps you can borrow a piece here or there from neighbors or relatives.

Preparing your home properly before listing will help you sell faster and save you thousands of dollars.