Every home seller wants to ensure they get top dollar for their homeand get those offers rolling in quickly. Properly preparing or staging your house before you list the house in the mls ('multiple listing service') can help get that sold sign up quickly. Staging is the process of preparing your house for market. It involves several vital steps that will promote a quicker sale. Skimp or ignore these steps and your house may be sitting on the market for months. On the other hand, if you properly stage your home it will enhance buyer appeal and increase your chances of a quick sale. Bear in mind, it is important these steps be taken before you list your house on the market. The first few weeks are the most critical.

Meticulous cleaning - This is the one time when you need your house to be spotless - both inside and outside. Potential buyers will be turned off by dishes in the sink, a noxious litter box or dusty furniture. Professionally steam clean your carpets. Remember, you want to create a lasting impression - a positive one. Clean your windows, wipe down floor molding, clean counter tops, replace moldy or aged caulking and even clean your garage. Prepare yourself and your family for the challenge of keeping your home spotless for the next several weeks. Reward your children for helping and keeping their rooms clean.

Eliminate clutter - To ensure your house looks as big and roomy as possible you will need to remove clutter and excess furniture. Proceed with one room at time. Work through every closet, drawer and cabinet of every room. Sort items into three groupings: things you must leave in the room because it is a necessity, things you need to keep but can keep off the premises and things that you can throw away. Your goal as you de-clutter is to make your home look as spacious as possible. Keep in mind that prospective buyers will look into closets, cabinets and even drawers as they walk through your home.

Remove unnecessary furniture - Leave only those furniture items that are necessary and those items that reflect the purpose of the room. If furniture impedes a pathway, move it to storage. This is not the time to save a few dollars and store everything in the garage. You need to remove clutter from the garage as well so it looks as spacious as the rest of your de-cluttered home.

Neutral Colors - While you might love that vivid red den, many potential buyers will be turned off by vivid paint and carpet colors. Most buyers walk through a house and try to visualize how it will look with their furniture in the home. They may find this difficult to do if the color scheme clashes with their items. Think neutral and warm to please the widest audience. Repaint rooms and strip wallpaper that does not fit this neutral theme. Replace carpeting that is not neutral in color or is highly worn. Once the walls and carpeting are neutral colors, you can add back some color with tactful accents and accessories.

Highlight prominent features - Take advantage of unique or key features of your home. If you have beautiful hardwood floors, don’t hide them with a large area rug. Removing the rug and polishing the hardwood floor will show off this key element of your home. For fireplaces, be sure to thoroughly clean the inside of the fireplace and spruce up the mantel with some small topiaries or other decorative accents. Take advantage of other key features of your home and accentuate them so they become a focal point of the room.

Curb Appeal - Once you've decluttered your interior, you need to clean up the outside as well. First impressions are lasting. Potential buyers will gain their first impression of your home as they drive up for a showing. Paint the exterior of your home and window trim if needed. Trim your bushes and trees. Mow and edge your yard weekly while the house is on the market. Remove leaves and weeds from your flowerbeds.

Prepare for the showings - After you have staged your house and listed in on the market, be ready for the showings and create an appealing ambiance for the potential buyers. Be careful of what you cook. Salmon almondine may sound wonderful for lunch, but the smell could linger into your unplanned evening showing. Strategically place air fresheners throughout the house, but use them in moderation. You should plan to leave the house for every showing. Be sure to take your pets with you; a barking dog can be a significant turn off for a potential buyer. Empty all trash cans and turn on all lights before you leave. Remember, patience is a virtue and you will need a great deal of it during this time. Showings can be a significant interruption and the effort it takes to keep your house spotless may seem overwhelming. In the end, it will be worth the effort and will help you find the right buyer early in the process.

If you follow these suggestions enthusiastically, you may have second thoughts about selling your home now that it looks so appealing. You'll see the most potential buyers during the first few weeks the home is on the market. Capitalize on this traffic and be sure to turn up the charm during this critical time period.