Gorillas and house buyers do not mix. A gorilla lounging on the couch quickly dampens potential buyers enthusiasm about purchasing your home.

Not that it is really the gorilla's fault. Guerillas and house tours go together like ketchup and a bowl of corn flakes.

For this reason very few people will show their house with a live gorilla roaming around. However, many people are attempting to sell their houses while entertaining a different kind of gorilla.

This kind of gorilla comes in the forms of odors, clutter, and eye distracters. If you want to sell your house, get rid of these gorillas.

-The Gorilla of Odor

A prospect's nose will instantly notice this gorilla as they enter the house. The memory of this odor will be seared in their mind. Quite likely they will remember your house by the "fragrance" they encountered when they walked in the door.

Kick out the gorilla by removing the source of smell. Shampoo the carpets. Take out the garbage and anything else producing an odor. Use a product like Nok-out or one with enzymes to remove odors from curtains, carpets, and spots. Smoke odors, pet stains, and more can now be easily removed with these products.

Try airing out the house. Open the windows and let fans move fresh air in. Turn on a dehumidifier in the basement.

Replace the smell by burning scented candles. Every scent from pumpkin pie to sliced oranges is available. Throw a pie in the oven.

Wipe down the furniture with a dust rage dampened with a fragrant cleaner. This will instantly give your house a nice fragrance.

With this gorilla out of the way, you are now ready to tackle the next one.

-The Gorilla of Clutter

Clutter refers to anything out of place and in the way. It could be newspapers, clothes, boxes piled up, papers on the desk, dirty dishes, etc.

A pile of clutter on the coffee table or in the bedroom can be nearly as distracting as a live gorilla. Not only does it discourage and zap your energy, but it makes your house look small and messy.

Get rid of it. Throw it in the dumpster. Hide it in the closet. Clear the desk. Wash the dishes or stack them in the oven (just don't preheat the oven with them in there). Note. If the prospects are going to be viewing the oven or closet, don't put the clutter there!

Decluttering will not only encourage and motivate you, it will keep the buyer focused on the positives of your house.

-The Gorilla of Eye Distracters

A gorilla doing pushups in the kitchen is distracting. Almost as distracting are holes in the wall, cracked windows, etc. Eye distracters keep prospects from fully appreciating the good points of your house.

Take a notepad and start outside your house. Walk past it while taking notes of what is really distracting. Does the siding need washing? What about the Lawn?

Walk in the front door and then through each room. Put a star by the main distracters in each room. Now go back and fix them. Touch up with a little paint. Fix any holes.

Good job. With three gorillas out of the way, the potential buyer can now fully appreciate your home.