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Helpful tips when listing your home!

1. First impressions count

It's wise to make a good impression from the moment a potential buyer pulls up to the house, experts say. First glimpses of the home will include the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.

Peeling trim could be a kiss of death. Paint the exterior of the home in an odd color and you could lose buyers before they come inside. Don't underestimate the importance of good lawn care, either.

"A lawn that looks good on the outside gives the impression that someone cares about that home," says Trey Rogers, professor of turf grass management at Michigan State University and author of "Lawn Geek," a book of tips on how to maintain a lawn.

2. Neutralize and de-clutter

When it comes to preparing a home's interior, real-estate professionals worth their paychecks will advise a client to make a move to more neutral colors .

"People can't visualize beyond what they see," Mr. Gillespie says. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, can also have an added advantage of making a room appear larger.

Removing a home's clutter is also extremely important in getting potential buyers to imagine their family living in the house, Mr. Gillespie adds. Beyond that, do some basic spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, rebuff hardwood floors and oil any wood cabinetry, Mr. Lupberger says.

3. Consider replacement projects

Sellers might also consider having a home inspection done prior to listing the home as a way to detect any overdue replacement projects, Mr. Gillespie says. A seller has the option of either fixing the problem or giving the buyer a discount to account for the needed repairs, but Mr. Gillespie is an advocate for making the necessary repairs before selling.

Home buyers recognize the value of a house that doesn't need major repairs, Mr. Alfano says. "The house is probably not going to move, or you're not going to get all the value out it, if the new buyer knows they're going to have to replace the roof sometime soon," he says.

4. Kitchens and bathrooms rule

It's no secret that buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms.

"If the last time it was remodeled was in 1980, that's going to be points against versus another house that was upgraded even five years ago with sort of a modern look," Mr. Alfano says. "It's hard to go wrong with a kitchen or bath remodel unless you get a little too edgy with the design or the materials."

If kitchen cabinets are structurally fine but their exteriors are outdated, it might be worth it to reface them, Mr. Lupberger says. If counters are old, replacing them will add new life to the room.

5. Warranty coverage and documentation

Sellers can provide some extra peace of mind to buyers by purchasing a home warranty on their home that will cover such things as heating and plumbing should the buyer run into problems after closing. The coverage is getting a bit more popular nowadays, Mr. Gillespie says. Warranties can be bought from companies including American Home Shield and Aon.

Mr. Gillespie also recommends displaying the age of the water heater and furnace; if either one is on the older side, have it inspected for proof that it works correctly. Also, explain if any home improvements have produced a cost savings in terms of energy usage, Mr. Alfano says. 

·         If you're redoing a kitchen or bathroom, consider using glass tiles instead of ceramic ones. They're gaining popularity again because of reflective qualities.

·         Avoid installing a bowl-shaped above-the-counter bathroom sinks. They look pretty, but have proven to be harder to maintain and keep clean.

·         Use engineered stone compound for kitchen countertops. The material is less expensive than granite and is expected to be the latest trend this year.

·         Don't install too many glass cabinet doors in your kitchen. They look better in magazines than they do in real life -- where homeowners must keep their cabinets in perfect order or suffer embarrassment.

·         Consider replacing a wood or chain link fence with a wrought-iron one on your property. Wrought-iron fences portray a look of luxury.

·         When repainting trim for shutters, doors and window frames, go with bold and deep colors. And don't get rid of the trim around interior window openings--it only looks cheap.

·         If replacing floors, avoid bamboo wood. This flooring was popular when it debuted, but now users are saying that it is easily dented and scratched. It is also more likely to warp due to weather and humidity.

·         If you're adding new construction, don't employ concrete blocks in exterior walls. They are not attractive and are more likely to leak moisture if not properly installed.

Don't do major remodeling

Don't break the bank preparing your home for sale. Pricey items such as a new roof may be big hits with buyers, but rarely does the buying price end up covering the payout for such costly home improvements. When possible, stick with the simpler (and less expensive) options rather than major remodeling.

Make a good first impression

Curb appeal is important. Keep your lawn and other landscaping neatly trimmed, weeded and watered. Check the exterior of your home for signs of wear and damage, such as peeling paint, foundation cracks or loose shingles, and fix what is needed. Clean the outside of the house, including windows. Many people suggest giving the front door a fresh coat of paint for that warm, welcome feeling. In addition, adding a few flowers in the spring and summer, or keeping the walks cleared of leaves and snow in the fall and winter can be inviting to potential buyers.

Clean!

The obvious seller's commandment: thou shalt clean. Remove all clutter from every room, including closets. Organize your basement and attic. Have a garage sale with all the stuff you don't want to move to your next home! Wipe down and paint walls and trim if necessary. Many people advocate repainting with a neutral color palette to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. Clean all windows, light fixtures and ceiling fans. Bathrooms should always be squeaky clean. Inspect and make any necessary repairs to the plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems. Highlight the bath and kitchen by selecting some attractive new towels, curtains or cabinetry knobs.

And keep it clean

Maintain the new and improved interior and exterior of your home until you successfully sell. It's hard, but it's necessary. A professional cleaning service may be able to help maintain the new clean look with occasional visits.

Light it up

When showing your house, provide plenty of light and make your home a warm, welcoming place. Open the curtains to let in the sunshine. In the event of an evening showing, make sure you have ample lighting available in all areas. Fresh cut flowers make a nice addition, and a pleasantly scented house is very inviting.

Go away

Many realtors and potential buyers would prefer that the seller not be present during a showing, to avoid limiting the buyers' conversation or making them uncomfortable. Children and pets should also be absent or out of the buyers' way during a showing, if at all possible.

Security
Be certain to remove valuables such as jewelry and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a safe deposit box before showing your home.

Setting the Mood
On the day of a showing give you house a homey feeling, put out some live flowers and fresh guest towels in the bathroom. Place scented potpourri around the house or, pop a batch of frozen cinnamon rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma. Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be expensive, and giving the impression that your home is well maintained will help you get the price you want.

Define living spaces
Having a living room/office/dining room/ storage locker can be a negative to buyers, not having an obvious purpose for a room makes it look less useful. Rearrange furniture to create focus areas inside of a larger room, define the spaces through a good layout.