DRESS YOUR HOME TO SELL If you are thinking of selling your home, here are a few tips to help you sell your home faster and achieve the best possible selling price. First impressions are the most powerful sales tool. Make sure your home puts its 'best foot forward' when its your time to sell. Look at your home objectively through the eyes of a potential buyer. 1. Curb appeal ' stand across the street from your home and look at the exterior objectively. A good idea is to make sure all the landscaping is pruned and trimmed, dead plants removed, and weeds pulled. If necessary, add some additional plants or trees to enhance the curb appeal. 2. Eliminate clutter ' It is always best to keep your home as neat, clean, and uncluttered as possible. Buyers believe what they see. If it looks cluttered and messy, they may think other items in the home are in disrepair. Take the additional time to clean the windows, vacuum the floors, clean the carpet and make your house sparkle inside and out. Keep your closets tidy and they will look bigger. Create as much space as possible. Remove excess furniture and decorations, newspapers, etc. 3. Kitchens ' kitchens sell houses. Keep the cabinetry polished, countertops neat and clean, dishes out of the sink, and remove magnets and artwork from the refrigerator. Most families spend a considerable amount of time in their kitchens; make it feel as comfortable and homey as possible. 4. Bathrooms ' buyers closely inspect bathrooms. Repair caulking, fix leaks, and make sure everything sparkles and smells clean. Put away make-up, toothbrushes, and hair dryers, etc. Freshen it up with new towels and scented soap. 5. Minor repairs ' Take a close look at every room in your home for minor repairs. Broken switch plate covers, loose handles, faded walls, dirty windows, creaking doors, etc. are small items that when fixed, enhance the quality of your home. 6. Lighting ' Make certain all your light fixtures are working and turn them on when showing your home day or night. It makes the home much more welcoming. Open your drapes or blinds and let in as much natural light as possible. 7. Background ' Loud music or blaring televisions detract from everything you have done to make your home inviting. Play some mellow jazz or easy listening music like they do in model homes. 8. Pets ' If possible please take the pets with you when perspective buyers are looking at your home, some buyers may be allergic to your pets or they can cause a nuisance that would give them an unpleasant feel about your home. A little extra time and effort in dressing your home up for sale can translate to extra dollars in your pocket.