Sellers always ask “how long will it take to sell my house?” Much depends on you! These are a few super easy projects that will have a dramatic effect on the amount of days your house remains in the “FOR SALE SECTION.”

1. Clean! Start with the kitchen and scrub every square inch. Donate items you aren’t using. Get to work on stains in the sink and reline or paint the interior of kitchen cabinets. When it sparkles move on to the bathrooms. Wash the windows in and out!!!

2. Curb appeal! Spring is here and you have leaves and debris to remove. Kill weeds and mulch beds. Plant a splash of color in three locations that are visible from the street.

3. If you have a small budget spend it in the kitchen. Paint the cabinets or new buy hardware.

4. Locate a Doggy Day Care or a friend to watch your pet during the day. Be certain to pick up the poop they left behind in the yard to avoid buyers ruining their shoes and your carpet. Agents will be showing your home, MAKE IT AN EASY, PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. That way they will bring other buyers to see it. No don’t let the cat out or the dog won’t bite signs. Also make it smell great, make beds,vac the carpet if needed wipe down baths/kitchen before you go each day and leave the lights on. We all have too much to do but the entire family should get up 30 minutes early and pitch in with these chores while your home is being marketed.

5. Make certain your realtor has a plan for other agents gaining entrance to your home. If possible don’t turn on the alarm. Enough said except I can’t tell you how many times I have not been able to show homes to interested buyers….. even after appointments were confirmed.

6. Find a place that you can leave a bowl of candy and a copy of your appraisal and home inspection if they have been done. Ask your agent to make a check list with information about you home. Taxes, square footage, local schools and positive comments about your neighborhood, HOA fees, lot size, age of appliances and roof, ect. If you are in winter leave pictures of Spring with the yard in full bloom.

7. Make it better each week. Carve out 3 hours and find a small project to increase the appeal of your home. Remember to work on things that are staying like scrub the grout lines on the tile floor not things you want like replacing the throw pillows in the great room.

When you first come home take a tour with fresh eyes and try to see it objectively. You will identify the projects most needed right away.