6 simple tips that can help your home sell faster

"I want to sell my house fast!" It's a common plea we hear from our sellers. What factors into making a home sell more quickly?

First impressions are one of the most powerful sales tools. Emotion plays a tremendous part in creating an interest in your home from a potential buyer. Make certain your home puts its best foot forward and that you follow these time tested tips for selling your home fast.

1. Focus on Curb Appeal

The outside of your home, lawn, and grounds are the first thing a potential homebuyer sees...the most important first impression. What areas around the outside of your home need the most attention? What simple fixes can you make to increase the curb appeal of your house immediately? Focus on these areas:

• Invest in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight. A well manicured lawn, neatly clipped shrubs and clean walks create a good first impression. 
• An extra shot of fertilizer, in season, will make your grass look lush and green.
• Cut back overgrown shrubbery that looks scraggly and keeps light out of your house. 
• Paint your house if necessary. This can probably do more for sales appeal than any other factor. If you decide against painting, at least consider painting front shutters or window and door trim. 
• Walks should be free of leaves, weeds, dirt and debris. 
• Inspect the roof and gutters, and replace any missing shingles. 
• Consider pulling flowers outside the front door. 
• Repaint or stain the front door.
• Put a bright coat of paint on your mailbox (or replace it). 
• Put a new doormat out front.

2. Freshen up the kitchen

This is the most important room in the house. Make it bright and attractive with these simple fixes:

• Clean your cabinets inside and out.
• Hang new wallpaper.
• Clean the vent hood, the range/oven and the sink.
• Scrub the kitchen floor.
• Remove any extra appliances and/or knickknacks on the counters that you dont use every day.

3. Bathroom basics

Unsightly bathrooms can be a real showstopper for many prospective homebuyers. Do some basic maintenance and simple tweaks to make your bathrooms sparkle.

• Repair any dripping faucets; they discolor sinks and suggest faulty plumbing. 
• Keep fresh towels in the bathroom. 
• Scrub the toilet, shower, tub and caulk if necessary. 
• Recaulk where needed. 
• Use drain opener to unclog any slow drains. 

4. Stage the living areas

Staging involves deeply cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing and arranging furnishings to make your house as appealing as possible. According to a survey by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals and StagedHomes.com, 95% of staged homes sell in 23 days or less, on average. The goal is to make the home look ready for a professional magazine-style photo shoot.

• Have all drywall in good shape. Cracks and nail holes are easy to fix. 
• Check ceiling and ceiling fans for dirt. 
• When painting or redecorating, stick to conventional colors. 
• Replace faded curtains or bedspreads. 
• If you have a fireplace, clean it out and lay some logs inside. 
• Wash your windows inside and out. 
• Replace any broken windows. 
• Replace or fix any torn screens. 
• Make sure all windows open and close easily. 
• Check all light bulbs and replace if necessary. 
• Check light switches and plugs to make sure they work. 
• Make sure all floors are clean. 
• Straighten all closets; well ordered closets show space is ample. 
• For sliding doors that stick, rub paraffin wax in the tracks. 
• Clean the air return vents and put in new filters.
• Declutter children's play areas

5. Don't forget the garage, attic and driveway

Don't neglect the hidden utility areas of your home.

• Clean and organize the garage and attic and dispose of anything you will not take with you. 
• Repair any major cracks with ready mix concrete. 
• Clean any oil stains. 
• Check garage door and oil if necessary.

6. When your house is shown

• Keep shades open to let in light; this makes your rooms look larger. 
• Have your home well-lit and interior doors open for showing. 
• At night, turn on porch light and any exterior lighting. 
• Make sure all beds are made and rooms cleaned daily. 
• Make sure all dirty dishes are in the dishwasher, not in the sink or on the counters. 
• Keep toys in the kids room. 
• Keep radio/stereo/TV off. 
• Try to run some errands when the house is being shown. 
• If you are home, do not negotiate directly with the buyers. 
• Refer any inquiries about your home to your Realtor. 
• Take your pets for a walk when your house is being shown. 
• Let the Realtor show your house and do not tag along.