How to make your home sell more quickly and for more money.

Selling your house can be an exciting time in your life. It can also be a nerve-racking time. Every seller wants to sell their home for the most money in the least amount of time. There are some things that I have learned over the years that usually will make you net more money and speed up the sale.

1. Price- In today's market, price is extremely important. Buyers are not willing to pay more than market value for a home anymore. Average days on the market have gone up and a guaranteed way to make sure that your market time is as small as it can be is setting your home at an attractive price. You want other agents and buyers to look at your home and think, "Wow, at this price I can't afford to not buy it." I know that sentence was a double negative, but you get my point.

2. Curb Appeal- After you get the price right, this is the next most important thing. You want buyers to drive by your house and want to go inside. You want them to think that it is so cute on the outside that it has to be just as cute on the inside. Some ideas: freshly planted flowers, a fresh coat of paint on the exterior, a new doormat, a clean yard, and trimmed bushes. This list could go on, but just look at your home as if you were a buyer and you will see what needs to be done.

3. Clear the clutter- This is so important. Almost every buyer at least opens up the closet doors and cabinets. You want them to feel like they have ample room for their belongings. You don't want them to open up the closet and purses and shoes are falling on them. Clearing the clutter will make your home more organized, look better, and gets you a head start on packing.

4. Staging- There are professionals that do this for a living, but you can do some of it on your own. Go through your house, room by room, and take a good look at the space. If there are two huge couches in your not so huge living room, you might want to get rid of one to create the illusion of a bigger space. The internet has a lot of resources and tips for staging. I will probably do a future blog just on staging.

5. Availability- Make your home easy to look at. When a buyer wants to see your house, try to fit it in on their schedule. They could only be here for the weekend and can really only do it that certain time. Allow your agent to hold the home open. Allow a sign in the yard and a lockbox.

6. List your house- Studies have shown that homes listed with a real estate professional will sell more quickly and for more money. That sounds good, huh?

If anyone else has any tips or tricks that worked them I would love to hear them.