When you put a house up for sale one of the most important things the seller can do, besides pricing it properly and using the right agent to sell it is to present it properly to potential buyers. A great presentation can not only increase your chances for a sale but may increase the price you get from the sale.  Depending on the condition of your house the task may range from moderate to daunting. So where do you to begin? I recommend you work from the outside to the inside, just as a buyer will always see the outside first before moving on to the interior. Remember we're trying to achieve a good first impression. With that in mind, evaluate the exterior of the property. Would a buyer driving by the house say this Madison house has good "curb appeal"? In Winter make sure that driveways, sidewalks and steps and walkways are clear from snow and ice. In the Summer, the lawn needs to be trimmed and the yard free and clear of any refuse. Keep the lawn edged. Take care of any needed exterior maintenance items things like painting, trimming shrubs, window cleaning. Evaluate the landscaping. Would adding some colorful plants improve the appearance? If so,when those items have been taken care of and the front walkway swept,take a close look at the front door. The front door greets prospective buyers. Make sure that it is fresh, cleaned and spotless in it's appearance and that the key works smoothly when opening the lock. Lubricate the lock mechanism as needed. If there are lamp fixtures make sure they are operating properly and that their appearance is clean. First impressions are lasting! Moving on to the interior, let the light shine in! Arrange the drapes so that they give maximum light. Replace any burned out light bulbs. Turn on every interior light for showings, even during the day. Make sure that there's plenty of interior light by increasing the wattage of bulbs in light fixtures as you deem necessary. A drop of Vanilla extract rubbed on the bulb's exterior releases a pleasant aroma, as the bulbs warm. Just as you did with the outside, take care of any small repairs needed.  Make sure that there are no sticking or squeaking doors, and that all cabinet doors, and windows operate properly. Many buyers assume that there are several problems that will be found later, for every one they discover early on.  Any small repairs like these can make a huge difference for the buyer as they provide peace of mind to a potential buyer as far as how they feel about how well the house has been maintained. Painting the inside can dramatically improve the look of faded walls and worn woodwork. Painting is perhaps the best investment that can be made when you are selling the house. And if you paint it yourself, itcan be accomplished at a very modest expense. Neat, well ordered closets help show the space inside. Remove all unnecessary items accumulated in closets. Similarly, remove excess furniture from the house and materials accumulated in the garage. That will help make rooms sizes  and the garage appear larger. If your house is showing it's age, consider replacing any items needing redecorating. Dated carpeting and foil wall coverings can be huge turnoffs to buyers even when the rest of the house is terrific.  I can suggest inexpensive yet effective ideas to change things a bit and to bring you a better sales price. Neat, well ordered closets help show the space inside. Remove all unnecessary items accumulated in closets. Similarly, remove excess furniture from the house and materials accumulated in the garage. That will help make rooms sizes  and the garage appear larger. Removing any clutter in the house makes the rooms look larger. Kitchen countertops should be free of all clutter. Any small appliances, jars and containers should be removed from the area and placed out of sight. Pictures, small artwork, and the like should be removed from the kitchen refrigerator. The refigerator door,  light switches and switch covers should be sparkling clean. Similarly, sinks and bathrooms should shine. Make certain that you eliminate any mildew and mold from these areas and any fixtures. Vacuum and clean the heating and air conditioning ducts. If there are any pet, cigarette smells or cooking odors try to eliminate them.  Potpourri, air spray, carpet cleaner and deodorizer and eucalyptus bunches can help. A thorough airing out of the house often helps too. Some people like to add baking bread or cookies for their pleasant smell. What we're trying to accomplish is to show off your pride of ownership. Sparkle, cleanliness and pride of ownership definitely attracts buyers. Achieving this will pay off for the seller. Having soft, classical music in the backround provides a special touch.  Fresh cut flowers help provide a pleasant environment and helps you to show the pride you have in your home. Back to MadisonHomesForSale.com homepage