Generally, a sale property enjoys more purchaser activity in its first three to four weeks of being listed on the market. It is important to make certain that the 'first' impression is a positive one! When that new property does hit the market, buyers and agents know that the property will usually sell for the highest price during this time. After the initial surge of interest, the property generally attracts only those buyers that are new to the marketplace. Make your home look and feel like a builder's display home. Everything should look like it belongs, even if it means storing some things until the home is sold. Your aim should be to try and create a feeling that makes potential buyers want to move in. Don't wait to see if the house will sell first before implementing making repairs or replacing items. Once you do decide to do something, don't do just the easy ones or just the bare minimum. The property needs to look good from the street, up the footpath, on the front verandah, throughout the house, in the darkest cupboards, and even in the garage. You definitely want to give the impression of a well cared for home. Wherever possible, you want the prospective buyers to feel that this home is quality all the way through, not just on the surface. As a seller, your competition is 'other' sellers. You are competing with every other home that is currently for sale in the area. By positioning your property above that of your competition, you stand the best opportunity of achieving the highest price within the shortest possible time frame. Owner Occupiers often tend to be willing to pay more for a home than investors. Present your property as though it will be sold to an owner occupier. Typically, buyers put all their savings into the purchase and associated costs (Stamp Duty etc) and then don't have anything left over to improve the home such as replacing old, worn-out items. Properties requiring less initial maintenance often attract more buyer interest. If buyers have a choice of two comparable properties similar in price, they'll choose the one in the best condition. Just as on the other hand, if two properties are similar in condition, the buyers will choose the one that is less money. Stand back from the street and look at the house. If all you can see are shrubs and trees, you have some yard work to do. One of the easiest things to do is trim the shrubs that are overgrown. They should be lowered to a height near the bottom of the windows. If there are tree branches hanging low in the yard, consider pruning them. A simple rule of thumb is to have all the limbs high enough so that you can walk under the tree. In addition, if tree branches block a view, trim them to expose a powerful selling feature. Invest in some seasonal potted flowers. They will add color and beauty to the front of the house. Consider putting some nice looking flowerpots on the porch with plants in them. Look at the front door and the area around it. Give it a fresh coat of paint. If the doorbell is broken, replace it. Wash the mailbox. Keep the verandah swept. Place an attractive but plain mat for people to wipe their feet. Air out the home. You are the last person to notice any peculiar odor in your home that may be blatantly obvious to visitors. Go on a search to find the offender. It may be a kitty litter box or a dog bed. It might be even as simple as a mildewed shower. Wash all the windows in the house, inside and out. While you're at it, clean the window sills and the bottom of the window jambs, and clean the blinds. Put bright light bulbs in every socket made for a bulb. Buyers like "bright and cheery" so you have to keep the drapes and shades open during the day, even if you're not in the habit, because it will make the property look better. If it has been over a year since you've had the carpets cleaned, now is the time to do it. The bare floors should also be waxed or polished, even if they're supposed to be "no wax". Clean out all the cupboards, cabinets, and drawers. Get rid of things you haven't' used in the past five years or pack it up! Cupboards should look as they have enough room to hold additional items. Your might need to box up off-season clothes to make it look that way. Get everything off the floor and don't have the shelves piled to the ceiling. Even though it may be inconvenient, you will be far better off by selecting the furniture pieces that look best in your home and rooms, and putting the others in the garage, or better yet, in storage. Short term rental of mini-warehouse storage is readily available at inexpensive prices. Go over the kitchen like a health inspector. Clean the oven and keep it that way, even if it means eating out more often. After cleaning the range, put new drip pans under the burners, or at least, cover the old ones with foil. Clean around the seal of the door of the dishwasher. Baths, showers and sinks should be freshly caulked. All the grout should be cleaned and in good condition. There are excellent cleaners that will do the job without tons of scrubbing. There should be no leaks in the faucets or traps. Keep children's toys out of the front yard and off the sidewalk and front porch. Get the teenagers and children to understand the importance of keeping the house looking good while it is on the market. Take down the posters until the house is sold. Clean the ashes out of the fireplace during the season that it isn't being used. Consider placing a tasteful dried floral arrangement in it's place. If you have attic storage, be sure the area is well lit so it is easy and safe for people to walk or at least having the opportunity of seeing the benefit your property has on offer. If you don't have time for a garage sale, consider donating things to charity. Make a list of all the items and their estimated value, and be sure to get a receipt. The donation maybe tax deductible and may be worth more to you than the time and effort you'd put into a garage sale. Small Investments That Can Make Big Returns Freshly paint or wallpaper the front façade of your home, the entranceway, kitchen, and bathrooms if necessary. It may add another 3% to your sale price. Replace ugly or out of style light fixtures. Consider completely painting the inside of the home and put all new floor coverings down. Add new window treatments. New appliances in the kitchen can be an existing feature that can actually make the difference in a prospect choosing your home over another.