When buyers look at your home, they are envisioning living there right now with your furniture – and your mess. Clean every room thoroughly, then clean again and focus on overlooked areas. Dust on ceiling fans, a small stain on the carpet, or a bug in a light fixture can loom large to potential buyers.

It’s best to get a professional cleaning service in and have them do the works, including polishing wood floors and washing the windows. The small amount you’ll spend on hiring a cleaning service is usually made back many times over by the increased sale value of your home.

Pay attention to odors. Even better, get a friend to come by because you may be so used to your home’s unique aroma that you don’t notice. A whiff from the garbage disposal or a bag of pet food can completely change the buyer’s impression of your home.

Put away the clutter, especially personal objects such as family pictures. Remember, you want them to visualize this as their home, not yours. If you want to have a few objects out so the area doesn’t look stark, make sure they are your finest.

Don’t forget the yard

The first impression a buyer gets is when they drive up. Mow the lawn, pull the weeds, and trim the bushes. Chase down every errant leaf that might have blown down. You don’t have to go so far as to start scrubbing the gravel with a toothbrush, but you want the yard to be perfectly manicured. This is another place where a professional service will more than pay for itself.

Set the stage

Beyond just cleaning, there are a number of homey touches that can create an inviting atmosphere and get the buyer thinking, “Yeah, I could live here."

Open all the blinds to make the rooms as light as possible. In darker rooms, the strategic placement of lamps, which should be left on, can chase the shadows away.

Get some room fresheners, being sure to put one by the front door so the first thing the buyer smells is a fresh scent. Another way to get a pleasant smell is to bake cookies or bread since nothing says “home" like the smell of baking. If you use scented candles, they should be extinguished before you leave the house to avoid the risk of fire. Their aroma persists for long after.

Redecorate

Depending on the condition of your home, you might want to consider new carpet and paint. Although this is a significant expense, it can be critical in cases where smells or stains from pets and smokers can’t be eliminated.

Talk to your real estate agent

These tips just scratch the surface of what you can do to prepare your home. Your agent will likely have additional tips appropriate to the local area. Remember, your agent knows how to sell homes so consider carefully any advice you receive. A little time and effort can put thousands of dollars in your pocket.