Real Estate Tip #1 Tidy Up Outside

Take the time to walk around your property wearing good thick gloves, and carrying a garbage bag. Pick up every bit of refuse, yard waste, and other unsightly things, and throw them away. When the garbage is gone, then do another lap and remove all of the clutter outside including kids' toys & bicycles as well as all yard care tools such as wheelbarrow, lawn mower, weeding tools, garden hoses, etc.

Depending on how you usually keep your property, this one effort can make a staggering difference to the outer appearance of your home.

Real Estate Tip #2 Trim Shrubbery

Shrubbery and other greenery that has an unkempt appearance can often be misconstrued as a sign of neglect, and gives a bad impression of your house overall. Prospective homebuyers who see shrubbery that has not been well maintained may not even be aware of their observation, but it will have an impact on the way they view your property as a whole.

If they do observe the unkempt shrubbery directly, they may make the assumption that the rest of the home has not been properly maintained.
Keep bushes and shrubs neat, and well-shaped, to give the overall impression that the entire property has been well cared for.

For that added touch, try to keep the shrubbery in line with the other greenery and outdoor decorations that you have on your property. This will be even more eye-pleasing from the street level, creating more interest.

Should the size of your shrubbery be such that it makes walking up to your home a challenge, you should consider taking them out. Shrubbery that is too large not only makes the home appear much smaller, but it also creates a hazard where safety is concerned.

This may also make prospective buyers think of it as a hindrance because they'll think of it as something that will need to be taken care of; this even before they've even entered your home.  It's a very inexpensive task that you can do yourself, and it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours of your time to get done. If you don't have the time, the ability, or the inclination to trim the shrubbery, don't just let it go. This can only risk losing a lot of time and money in the long run.

Instead, consider hiring a professional. This will cost approximately $35 to $45 per hour, but it will be well worth the small investment in the end.  With a bit of luck, you'll only need to do it once before your home is sold - a one time effort that will go a very long way.

Real Estate Tip #3 Plant Some Flowers

Flowers, especially bright flowers, can liven up the exterior of your home very inexpensively and easily. They needn't be expensive or exotic. Even the cheapest, easy-care, low maintenance flowers such as petunias, marigolds, sweet alyssum, zinnias, & bachelor's buttons will do fine.

Your local garden center will be able to help you make the best choice for your location and purpose. Remember that annuals are cheaper than perennials, so they'll suit your purpose perfectly. Keep in mind also that mixing bright colors like pink and yellow give a much happier appearance to the home than darker purples.

Flowers are an especially nice touch under windows, on porches, and in flower beds. They create a special level of warmth and depth, making your property appears cared for as well as enjoyed.

Real Estate Tip #4 Landscaping: Mow the Lawn

A property that has a well manicured lawn has one of the best chances at showing pride in ownership than any other outdoor technique.

For one thing, there is a large upswing in the priority that homeowners place in their outdoor living spaces.

Therefore, the landscaping of your front yard (especially) as well as that of your back yard should look its very best when it's selling time. Your landscaping will make a huge contribution to the resale value of your home, so make sure that it's doing its best to help you out.

In fact, studies have shown that when the landscaping of a home is in excellent condition, it can sell for about 4 to 5 percent higher, while homes with landscaping in very poor condition can sell for 8 to 10 percent less. That's a huge difference in the overall selling price of your home.

You might be wondering exactly how much time you should dedicate to sprucing up the landscape of your property. How much time and money is worth it for your sale?

Even if you put a minimal amount of money, effort, and time in to your landscaping, it will help you in selling your home, and perhaps even getting a boost in the selling price. Every effort you make will help.

However, don't overdo it. Remember that it's not a selling feature; it's only something to help the overall appeal of your property, so that the other selling features will be better appreciated.

You should keep your lawn mowed so that it is even, and neatly short. Keep it well weeded, as these will only appear as blemishes to your landscaping. Make sure to use a weed eater to do the edges, as this gives your work a superior finish touch.

If there are any "bald" patches in your lawn, buy a small bag of seed and care for the spot, filling it in. This is especially important if you have a dog who digs or who leaves "pet damage" where s/he does his or her business.

After you fill in the dead spots that your dog has left, make sure to water the areas after your dog "waters," to prevent new dead patches from forming. Watering the areas will dilute the urine to stop it from burning the grass.

This effort makes an immeasurable difference in the overall neatness of the house, and the impression that it will leave potential buyers.

Real Estate Tip #5 Keep Porches and Railings in Good Repair

After taking a beating from the elements, and having worn from time, porch railings have been known to become wobbly. This is a safety hazard, to say the least, but it's also very unattractive.

Railings that are loose can damage the steps to which they're attached. This can only mean a higher cost for repairs that are made, in order to ensure that the steps are safe.  If your railing is a bit loose, have a good look at it. Many times all that is required is a tightening of bolts, and the railing is as good as new.

The majority of porch railings are attached with lag bolts; these are large screws with a head that looks like a bolt. Should these become loose, all you need is an adjustable wrench to tighten them (turning them clockwise…remember: leftie = loosie and rightie = tightie).

At times, if the railings have been screwed into the brick of your home, the sheath may have broken or worn down. If this happens to your railing, you need to replace the sheath. Don't worry; this is neither expensive nor costly. You can buy them at any hardware store.

When you remove the screws and sheaths to replace them, the railing will come off, so be sure you're ready to support it and then put it somewhere. You'll need a screwdriver and about twenty minutes to accomplish this task.
Once the new sheath is in place, just screw the railing back on. Make sure to test the railing for security when you get it on again.

If you are extremely challenged in the home-repair department, or if you simply don't have a moment to spare, you can always hire a professional to do the job. They'll cost anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour to do the job.

Real Estate Tip #6 Maintain Shutters

Shutters can be a charming touch to any home. When they're well maintained and in good shape, they can add a warm, comforting touch to brick, stone, or just about any other finish.

However, if they're not well maintained, and are in bad shape, they are one of the fastest ways to make your home appear to be neglected; especially to prospective buyers.

Fortunately, they don't take a lot of skill or time to repair if they're looking a little bit rough. When it comes to the majority of shutters, a quick sanding and one or two coats of exterior house paint can make your shutters look as good as if they were new.

Though it might take a little bit of extra time, it's wise to remove the shutters from the house before you start sanding and painting them. You can make an excellent work table out of an old plank or door set up on two sawhorses.
Clean the shutters of any dirt with a clean rag, then give them a light sanding. Wipe them again, to remove the dust from sanding. Now they're ready to be painted.

You can either spray paint them, or brush on the paint; either will give a nice end result. They will need either one or two coats, depending on your preference, and the appearance you want to attain. Make sure that they've been allowed to dry fully before you reattach them to your home.

Real Estate Tip #7 Touch up Painting

A large number of houses are made out of brick, with small amounts of wooden trim. These wooden touches are usually located on porches and small areas on the ends of your home.  As time passes, these wood places have a tendency to become worn, with cracked and dull looking paint.

Give your wooden accents a touch up of paint and the entire exterior of your home will have a fresh new look.  Depending on how much wooden trim you have, once you purchase the right amount of exterior paint, it shouldn't take you more than two or three hours to finish this task.

Occasionally, you may need to sand the area before you can paint it. Sanding helps the new paint cure much better than if you'd applied it directly onto the old paint - especially if the previous coat had a cracked surface.
A palm sander is the ideal solution to getting this part of the project done quickly and easily.

Beyond the wooden points, have a look at the paint on the downspout, gutters, and anywhere else that has paint. None of these should be cracked, faded or peeling. If they are: repaint.

Real Estate Tip #8 Make Sure Your House Numbers are Visible

Though this may seem like a rather silly little task, it will make all the difference when it comes to selling your home. This isn't because potential buyers want to see clear numbers before they purchase your home - it's because they need to be able to find your home if they want to find out more about it, or have a look.

If a prospective buyer can't find your home due to a lack of visible house numbers, all of your other efforts to create lovely curb appeal may have been in vain.

If your house number is carved into the exterior surface of the building, be certain that it can still be seen from the street. If they are a struggle to see, and they are recessed into the brick or stone, simply paint the numbers a crisp, clean color, so that they will stand out.

A simple technique for completing this task quickly and easily is by using a cotton swab which has been dipped into paint. Carefully apply this into the engraved numbers. You'll be surprised at what a professional result you can achieve.

House numbers that have been mounted onto the house, such as over the garage, should also be visible from the street. Make sure they're in good condition, and still match your home. Perhaps the house has gone through some changes since the numbers went up, and now they're not quite so stylish anymore.

If the house numbers are rusty, if they have pieces missing, or if a number altogether is gone, it's a good idea to paint or replace them.

They are readily available at hardware stores and home building centers, and you can obtain some pleasant looking ones inexpensively. It will make all the difference to your prospective buyers.

The same goes for numbers that are located on mailboxes. If they are incomplete, torn, or otherwise unattractive, simply replace them or stencil new ones onto the mailbox.

This makes your home easier to find, more inviting, and gives an impression that your home has been well cared for.

Real Estate Tip #9 Beautify the Front Entrance

The front entrance, including the front door, the porch, and the windows nearby, are the gateway from the outside to the inside.

Since there will be a moment while the prospective clients - or the real estate agent - knock on the door, or open it, there will be a moment where they pause right in the entry, and will likely get a very close-up, very detailed impression of your home.

These are also an important focal point when it comes to curb appeal, so be certain that they're in tip-top shape. This is where the future owners, as well as all of their guests will enter their new home. It will be important to the eye and to the heart.

The door itself must look sharp. If needed, a fresh coat of paint can make all the difference to a pleasant, inviting, and well-maintained home.

Be certain that the hardware - such as the doorknob, the latch, the hinges, etc - are all freshly painted or polished. It gives an extra level of overall attractiveness.

Other useful steps to improve the entryway include a freshly painted/replaced mailbox, bright, functioning porch lights & a new (un-tattered) welcome mat.
If you have a doorbell, make sure that it is working, or remove it altogether. As with the front light, one of the things that can create the worst impression for your home is to have basic elements not functioning properly. This will make the prospective buyer wonder what else has not been your top priority for maintenance.

Real Estate Tip #10 Exterior Cleaning

After the entrance improvements have been made, have a look at the overall building. Is the siding clean? Are the windows clean? Are the gutters clean from the outside? Are corners and indents free of spider webs and vines? Is the walkway clean enough that it has a defined edge, and doesn't have mud or other dirt creeping over the sides or across the middle? How about the stairs?
Remember, your goal for the best possible curb appeal is a neat, clean, well maintained atmosphere. Take care of these different factors to clean up the atmosphere of your home.

All of these items can be easily performed in a few hours, and they'll make an enormous difference for selling your home.

Inside Your Home

Now that the outside has been adequately beautified, and you've mastered curb appeal, it's time to move on to the inside of your home.

Just like there was a lot of little things you could do to make an overwhelming difference to the outside of your home, there's lots of great projects you can tackle inside, without having to spend a great deal of money.

While the whole home is very important, the two primary areas for sprucing up should be your kitchen and bathroom. The following tips will guide you through the inside of your home in general, and then progress to each area of your home, to make sure that you're maximizing its potential.

Real Estate Tip #11 Decorating for a Sale

The world of real estate is becoming more sophisticated in its understanding of what sells. In this sense, there is a much better comprehension of how we can spruce up our homes for sale. In fact, there are actually people who have made an occupation of just this study and this task.

There is a whole knack to being able to properly "stage" a home these days. Fortunately, while it is an extremely effective effort, it is not one that takes a large amount of money. It's just a matter of improving your current surroundings.

The key is to look at your home not through your own eyes, but through the eyes of the prospective buyer. Look at your home as though you've never been there or seen it before in your life.

Think of it as romancing your buyer with your house, so you'll want to set the mood.

Real Estate Tip #12 Make Space

Clear out excess furniture and accessories from the interior of your home as much as possible. If a piece of furniture is too big for the room, or is crowding the room, put it in storage, have a garage sale, or give it to a deserving charity.

This also goes for decorations, oversized stuffed animals, and other items that you may have collected over the years. Anything that takes up space should be considered, and if it's not necessary, you'll want to clear it out.

Nothing is more effective at opening up a house than getting rid of clutter. It will look immeasurably more spacious without all of your extra things in the way.

Pay special attention to keeping hallways and doorways clear. Not only will this make the prospective buyer feel that they will be purchasing a more spacey home, and can easier imagine their own things inside of it.

Real Estate Tip #13 The Value of Surface Space

Go through your house and clear off all of the horizontal surfaces, kitchen counters, and bathroom countertops.

This means that you won't be leaving any magazines, knick-knacks, or other various items to add to a cluttered appearance in your home. Either pack them or get rid of them in some other way.

Real Estate Tip #14 The Nose Knows

Your home should smell good. When it comes to selling your house, it means that there should be no noticeable odors. Make careful attempts to get rid of pet odors, stale cooking/food smells & cigarette smoke.

Smell makes an enormous impact on people when they enter a home.

Furthermore, while smokers and pet owners may not even notice the smells in their home - having become quite accustomed to them - they may be an overwhelming turn-off for potential buyers.

In this case, have a non-smoking, non-pet owning friend come over to perform a sniff test.

While it used to be recommended that you bake bread or steam cinnamon potpourri before a potential buyer is to come through, it's no longer recommended. The same goes for spray air fresheners.

If you insist upon adding a scent to your home, make it a very - repeat, very - lightly scented candle, or scented oil. However, it's better not to scent the home at all.

The best way to get rid of scent problems in a home isn't to cover them up, but instead, it's to remove them at the source. Recommended techniques for accomplishing this include scrubbing the house, having the air vents cleaned, replacing old, smelly carpeting  & smoking outdoors.

Real Estate Tip #15 Remember That Buyers are Human Too

Just like you, buyers are lazy when it comes to having to take on large projects within the home. They want to be able to move in and be happy with what they've bought.

If your property is in need of work, you should tackle it before the potential buyers get to see your home.  The only thing you want the potential buyers to picture is moving day, not all the work they'd have to put into it. Some suggestions on what may need sprucing up are old, dated wallpaper, ratty carpeting, cracked or peeling paint and cracked, broken, or missing tiles.
Most people will want all of the important work done before they move in. They don't want to have to worry about tearing the place apart as soon as they get their stuff inside.

They want to buy a home, and not remain unsettled for a long time while they bring the place to the level that they consider to be livable.

With each change that they prospective buyer calculates that they'd have to make to your home; they'll become just that much more concerned. When it comes to selling your home, you need to make it your priority to assuage these concerns.

Real Estate Tip #16 Testing the Home for Baby Compatibility

Are families with babies and/or young children a part of your potential market? If they are, then you need to ask yourself if you would put your own child on your floor and let him or her crawl about.

In the case of having your house pass the baby test, go for cleanliness first. Make the following efforts for approval from the perspective of a judgmental parent. Are the floors looking clean enough to eat off of?  Are carpets looking and smelling fresh?  Are walls free of grimy smudges and handprints?

Real Estate Tip #17 Butt Out

Of all the impacts that your home can have on your buyer, cigarette smoke is the very last one you'd want. This doesn't just mean the smell - which, as we discussed in tip #14, is quite offensive to potential buyers - but the look of ash trays (even clean ones) and smoke stains on walls, cupboards, and otherwise.

This is also true for burn holes in carpeting and upholstery. Sure, you're not selling your furniture, but the furniture that is there will leave an overall impression, so make certain that they don't show signs of smoker's damage.

For the majority of buyers, they won't even want to tour a home if it is currently owned by a smoker. With that in mind, make sure to get rid of any "evidence" of your habit.

Store all of your ash trays out of sight; clean all of the walls, ceilings, and other places that have smoke stains, and replace or cover any fabrics, carpets, or upholsteries that have burn holes.

If you must smoke, do so outside, and make sure that you're not smoking in front of an open window that will simply let the smoke back in.

Real Estate Tip #18 Give Your Home a Timeless Feel

In the world of real estate, there is a huge difference between an old home, and a classic home. It's comparable to the idea of used clothing versus vintage clothing; only on a much grander scale.

If your home is about 40 years old, with 40-year old paint and wallpaper, 40-year-old appliances, and 40-year-old carpeting, then you have an "old" house, which is hard to sell.

On the other hand, if you've shown that you've maintained your home with an overall established look, but which has been kept fresh and up-to-date, this is a "classic" home, which is a very appealing style.

The major kinks of the new home have been worked out, the neighborhood is settled, and it has been maintained well enough that "falling apart" won't be a major issue.

Real Estate Tip #19 Shed Light on the Subject

Two major things that your potential buyers will be looking for in your home include light and space.

Sure, it's alright to have one room that is a bit on the darker side; however, if the entire home is dark, that should be considered to be a problem.

When people will be viewing your home, open drapes and blinds, turn on all of the lights, and add lights to darker rooms.

If Mother Nature doesn't feel like being helpful on the day that people will be viewing your home, use flowers and other similar things that will suggest sunlight.

Your goal is to make your space look crisp, sharp, and vibrant. Your home should be a happy space inside which the prospective buyer wants to spend more time.

These are just some of the helpful tips that we have found to be tried & true to help you sell your home in the fastest amount of time, for the most amount of money with the least amount of hassles.

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