Now, more than ever preparing your home effectively for the real estate market is critical to your likelihood of actually selling. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Purge, de-clutter and organize: Getting ready to sell your home is a perfect excuse to purge, de-clutter and organize. Paperwork, magazines, outgrown clothing and toys, sports equipment, bric-a-brac and all manner of miscellany….this is the time to turn a critical eye towards closets, drawers and storage areas and really get cleared out and organized. No matter how large your home is, a cluttered space will always seem too small to a buyer, while an immaculately organized home is always appealing to prospective purchasers.

A little paint goes a long way! While your home may not need a complete paint job, you might consider freshening up high traffic areas…hallways, stairwells and possibly the walls of the kids’ rooms.

Let the sun shine in…A bright, sunny home is always easier to sell. Think about cleaning the windows, take a close look at your window coverings and reconsider any heavy or light blocking drapery. Trim any bushes which block windows and change out your light bulbs to make sure every room is well lit to show its best.

A little problem can say a lot: This is the time to address those minor maintenance issues which throw red flags up in the face of a buyer: squeaky or sticking doors, loose hinges or knobs, dripping faucets, torn screens or a broken doorbell. These little problems seem relatively minor, but they can make a negative impression and convey the sense to a buyer that your home is poorly maintained. A little money and a little effort can go a long way in avoiding this pitfall!

Put on a fresh face: Think about curb appeal! Again, a small amount of effort on the landscaping and entryway to the home can pay dividends: trim bushes, sweep and tidy walkways, repair the broken mailbox, possibly replace the outdated lamp fixture and add a clean doormat or some container plants. You want the prospective buyers to want to live in your home!

Home Inspectors work: If you feel your home might have larger maintenance issues pending, consider hiring a licensed home inspector to evaluate your home. This will give you a full understanding of problems which may arise during the selling process and the option of addressing those problems pro-actively. And if the inspection is complimentary to your home, it can impress purchasers by attesting to the fine condition of the property.

What is it worth? I would be happy to prepare a Comparable Market Analysis for you, outlining the right market price for your home, based on the most recent sales in your area. This information could prove critical to your decision to sell, as well as any plans you make for your next home purchase.