How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell by Owner

The first thing a potential buyer will see is the perimeter of the "For Sale By Owner" home, but the lasting impression is the substance of the home.

Steps:

1. It is absolutely important that you check your home in order to remove the clutter before you post the "For Sale By Owner" sign on your front lawn. Clutter and dark colors have a very frequent tendency to deter buyers from purchasing the house. Essentially, one must organize all of their clutter and remove any items that have lost their value. If you cannot figure out what to do with these items, you could have a garage sale or donate them to charity organizations. If the clutter is still somewhat overwhelming, your last resort is acquiring storage space. If the floor in a room is no longer visible, you most likely still have too much clutter.
2. Well lit rooms with lightly colored walls will seem larger than dark rooms with poor lighting. If any walls in your house are dark, it would be a good idea to contemplate painting them with a white or off-white paint or possibly increasing the number of watts in your light bulbs.

Tips:

• If you discover any unsavory or overly stained carpets, you most likely should replace them. If your carpet doesn't require replacement, you can always choose to shampoo it. It is extremely important that you clean all windows and mirrors and search for any imperfections.
• Wash your oven and stove extremely well. Thoroughly clean the drip pans under each burner. The grease and dirt that build up in this area must be cleaned. Polish the outside of the stove and oven until the shine is remarkable. Be sure to clean your refrigerator, dishwasher, or any other appliances.
• Remove any dirt or build up on the window fixtures and blinds. Clear away the fingerprints that generally appear on the doorknobs and light switches. Clean the wall surrounding the trash cans, particularly in the kitchen, for this tends to be a problem area.
• Thoroughly clean your kitchen countertops and reduce as much clutter as you possibly can. It is very important that you reduce the number of items in each cabinet throughout the house.
• It is important that you have your clothes and any items in your closets seem organized. Your closets must not seem over crowded. Every aspect of the house must seem spacious and clear. It is best to remove any items that might clutter up your shelves or floor. Other areas that clutter tends to gather include the garage, basement, and attic space.
• Examine each room of the house for odors. Over time you can become accustom to certain smells, in which case you should ask for the help of a neighbor. You must be certain that your for-sale-by-owner home looks, smells, and feels as fresh, clean, and new as possible.

Source: www.wikihow.com