You've taken a bid step and decided to sell your house.

Now what do you need to do?  To maximize your houses's sale potential, the following tips and ideas will help prepare your house to show its best.  Doing so will help attract more buyers for a possible quicker sale.

Like any item for sale, you want your house to be presentable to buyers and show off its strongest features.  To do so, take a fresh look at your house through a buyer's eyes.  See your residence as a house for sale instead of your family home.  This will help you identify its strong points and where it can use some help.

To help you concentrate on the components that really make a difference toward the sale of your house, we've created this section of the webside to walk you through your house - from the all-important first impression to a room-by-room checklist of areas where you will want to focus your attention.  It highlights various ways to discover how details make the difference, so your house is presented in top condition.

Even if you can't get to every last detail, this section of the website, along with your Prudential Real Estate sales professional, will help you pinpoint areas for improvement, so you will feel confident your house is at its best when it is on the market.

Your Prudential Real Estate sales professional may have specific improvement suggestions for showing your property at its best.  The tips and ideas in this section of the website will also help you prioritize, prepare and plan for the items that need to be done before your house is shown.  Once you have a plan in place, create a master list of items that need to be accomplished to help your property stand out from the other properties on the market.

(in itallics) By following these timely tips, you'll have a better chance of enticing buyers into making an offer to purchase your house.

Curb appeal is your first chance to entice buyers.  Focusing your efforts on the front of your house will assist in grabbing buyers' attention.  It's true that first impressions are lasting, so be sure that your house creates a strong first impression.  They call is curb appeal for a reason!

Stand in front of your house.  What will pontential buyers see as they arrive?  Nicely trimmed shrubs?  A well-manicured lawn?  Potted plants?   These enhancements can make subtle yet powerful statements.

Here are several suggestions experts recommend to make your exterior grab potential buyers' attention:

• Mow, weed, trim, and water your lawn regularly.
• Paint or thoroughly wash your house's exterior.
• Place a new wecome mat at the door.
• Make sure your house address numbers are large enough to read.
• Wash the windows so they're transparent.
• Remove extra vehicles from the driveway.
• Repair damaged screens and glass and add new hardware.
• Sweep the walkway and driveway as needed.
• Remove distracting lawn ornaments.
• Clean up after your pets on a daily basis.
• Repair any fence or gate.
• Make sure your roof and gutters are in good shape.
  

Details make the difference...

• Spruce up your yard with landscape lights.
• Hang a new wreath on the front door.
• Add a top layer of fresh mulch by trees.
• Place a new candelabra near the fireplace.
• Open a board game in the family room.
• Add a centerpiece to the dining table.

Your house may fulfill all the criteria potential buyers want for location, price, style and amenities, but it still needs to make an emotional connection.  Inspire buyers by creating scenarios where they can picture themselves.  To do so, create a neutral slate by using subtle colors in your entryway, living room, family room and dining room; eliminate excess personal memorabilia; and engage all of the senses with soft music, a warm fire and pretty flowers.

Here are a few ideas to make your place say, "Welcome, You're Home" to potential buyers:

• Ensure a clean, clutter free and classic entryway for appeal.
• Paint walls a neutral color scheme.  Remember, white never fails!
• Rearrange furniture in the family room and living room for openness.
  

"Create an inviting atmosphere with flowers, candles and other homey touches."

• Repair wall and ceiling cracks.
• Scrub and wax or seal floors.
• Make sure carpet is spotless and fresh smelling.
• Remove stray newspapers and outdated magazines.
• Wipe down all light fixtures so each room sparkles.
• Clean draperies and blinds.
• Scale back family photos to a few tastefully framed pictures.
• Play soft music on the stero to create a comfortable atmosphere.
  

Timely Tip:  Place a bench in your entryway for your guests convenience.

 

"The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, so make sure it's spotless as well as inviting."

Two key areas that buyers tend to focus on are the kitchen and the bathrooms.  A clean kitchen sends a positive message.  And a beautiful bathroom is compelling.  Many buyers prefer to purchase a house classified as "move-in condition," so make sure you repair leaky faucets, remove rust stains and fix sticky drawers.  Simple repairs now can mean the difference between potential buyers moving on or making an offer.

Here's what you can do to these rooms to impress potential buyers:

• Place seldom used small appliances in cupboards.
• Wipe down insides of drawers and install dividers.
  

Details Make the Difference...

• Make sure your mirrors and appliances shine.
• Inspect the cabinets and unclutter the countertops.
• Check for leaky faucets, and caulk sinks and tubs.
• Deodorize garbage disposal, dishwasher and trash can.
• Leave guests tasteful treats such as coffee or tea and cookies or donuts.
• Bake fresh rolls or bread to create a warm welcome.
• Lay an open cookbook on the counter.
• In the bathroom, create a mini-spa with guest soaps, bath oils and thick towels.
• Scrub and polish all sinks and tubs.
• Purchase a new shower curtain and liner as well as rugs.
• Repair missing grout and tiles.
• Roll several new towels and place in a basket on the counter.
  

Timely Tip:  In the kitchen, fill a large bowl with fresh fruit.

Turn your attention to the rest of the house.  Take a close look at each remaining area - including the bedrooms, the basement and the backyard.  And remember to inspect the garage, shop and laundry room.  These often overlooked areas can impress potential buyers, setting your house apart from the competition!

A clean house sends a positive message that you also took care of major items such as the roof and the furnace.  If you can't get something clean, paint it, remove it or replace it.

Here are a few items to pay special attention to:

• Vacuum under beds.
• Organize closets.
• Place a scented candle on the nightstand, and fold a quilt at the end of the bed.
• Put scented paper or sachets in closets.
• Use lots of pillows in every bedroom.
  

Timely Tip:  Make sure your pet is out of the house and secured during all showings.

"Books can convey a serene feeling in your house.  Use them generously."

• Beautify your entertainment center by adding a few books, art and pottery.
• Drape a textured throw over the corner of a sofa or chair.
• Hang a picture in the laundry room.
• Wipe down the washer, dryer, furnace, water softener and other appliances.
• Put tools in bins in the garage or shop.
• Refresh patios by power-washing and give wood decks a boost with a fresh coat or stain.
• Place lawn furniture and small tables in conversational groupings outside.
• Hang miniature white lights in trees and around umbrellas to create a warm glow.

By making potential buyers feel welcome and comfortable, you can subtly influence their attitude toward your house...turning it from a house for sale into a house sold!