First Impressions
Remember what first attracted you to your house when you bought it? What excited you about it most? When deciding how best to present your home for sale, it is helpful to try to get back into that Buyer's frame of mind.

A spruced-up house makes a great first impression on potential Buyers. An attractive property grabs their attention and makes them excited about finding a house that looks and feels well cared for. Because Buyers believe they'll encounter fewer problems if they buy it, your house becomes more appealing and stands out from the competition. So if you prepare your home correctly, you'll save time selling it when it's on the market.

A good first impression makes an impact on a number of levels. It's not just the way your house looks to potential Buyers, but how it feels and smells to them, how their friends and family will react, how they imagine it will be to live there.

With simple improvements throughout your house, you can grab the attention of potential Buyers and help them see why your house is right for them.

Plan Ahead
Create a plan to enhance your property and make a list of what needs to be done. Consider what your property looks like to people driving by or walking through your door. What will they like or dislike? What needs fixing, painting, cleaning? What can you improve? Whether you paint your house or fix up the yard, your efforts don't need to be costly; even inexpensive improvements and minor repairs go far towards attracting serious Buyers. But remember, those seemingly insignificant problems you've learned to live with can actually discourage potential Buyers.

Here are some ideas for increasing your home's appeal in order to sell it quickly at the best price:

Clean Everything
Buyers expect a spotless house, inside and out, so clean everything. Scrub walls and floors, tile and ceilings, cupboards and drawers, kitchen and bathrooms. Wash scuff marks from doors and entryways, clean light fixtures and the fireplace. And don't forget your windows!

Cut the Clutter
People are turned off by rooms or closets that look and feel cluttered. Remember, potential Buyers are buying your house, not your furniture, so help them picture themselves and their possessions in your home by making your rooms feel large, light, neutral, and airy. As you clean, pack away your personal items, such as pictures, valuables, and collectibles, and store or get rid of surplus books, magazines, extra furniture, rugs, blankets, etc. Consider renting a storage unit to eliminate clutter in your garage and attic.

It's hard to get rid of possessions, but cleaning and clearing out the clutter can really pay off in the end. Packing away your clutter also gets you started packing for your own move. Make your garage and basement as tidy as the rest of your house. Simple little tasks such as storing your tools and neatly rolling up your garden hose suggest that you take good care of your house. Don't let anything detract from making your best first impression.

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Repairs and Renovations
It's best to avoid making major renovations just to sell the house since you're unlikely to recoup those costs in your selling price. Make minor repairs to items such as leaky faucets, slow drains, torn screens, damaged gutters, loose doorknobs, or broken windows. Make sure repairs are well done; Buyers won't take you seriously if your home improvement efforts look messy or amateurish.

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Curb Appeal
The "Wow" factor - that first visual, high-impact impression your home makes on potential Buyers - can turn a looker into a Buyer. To determine your property's curb appeal, drive through your neighbourhood and note other properties; then approach your own house as if you were a potential Buyer. How does it look? Will its curb appeal attract Buyers? Note what needs improving, such as trimming trees, planting shrubs, or painting gutters. To get Buyers through your door, do what you can to make your property look like someone's dream home.

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